The Government has revealed why a beleaguered war memorial was given a reprieve just hours before council planners were set to approve its demolition.
Under plans submitted by Billericay Town Council, the Second World War memorial at the junction of Chapel Street and Billericay High Street was to be pulled down and replaced.
However, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) decided to issue the monument with Grade II listed building status, forcing the town council to withdraw its planning application.
The move came after local campaigner Ron Capes and the Friends of War Memorials group both asked the Government to take action to save the 50-year-old memorial.
The council will now have to submit a second Listed Building application for consideration by Basildon council's development control and traffic management committee.
A DCMS spokesman said: "The inspector recommended this war memorial is complete and that it forms a cohesive element. The memorials compliment each other, stylistically referring to the part in which they were involved."
Published Monday July 12, 2004
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