New war memorial planned for 'peaceful grounds' of Shropshire village church

Plans to build a new war memorial in Westbury, a village eight miles west of Shrewsbury, have been submitted to Shropshire Council.

If successful, the new memorial would be erected in the "peaceful grounds" of the Grade II-listed St Mary's Church. 

The church dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, with the tower and chancel being rebuilt in the mid-1700s. 

According to the application, the current memorial at the church is a plaque within the clock tower of the church - but access to it is limited, with the church "locked more often than not".

It's proposed that the original be retained for "reasons of posterity" and it's suggested that the removal would "unnecessarily" damage the wall. 

The application states the addition of a new, external memorial would "allow visitors to have clear access to the memorial when needed, for purposes of respect at any time and for formal occasions of Remembrance".

It adds: "An external war memorial sited in such peaceful grounds affords the locals, including veterans, the opportunity for silent contemplation."

The proposed memorial, a traditional cross design, would be made from sandstone to match existing monuments and structures within the church grounds.

The full plans can be viewed online on Shropshire Council's planning portal, using reference number: 25/00235/FUL