Village medieval market cross set to be moved

The market cross is Grade II listed

A moorland village’s medieval market cross is set to be moved to avoid further damage from tree roots.

North Turton Parish Council proposed to relocate the Grade II listed monument in the Lancashire village to the cross-paths in the Chapeltown Memorial Garden in High Street.

The only original part of the cross – its unusual eight-sided sandstone base – is currently unstable owing to the growth of the trees roots.

The parish council applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council for planning permission and listed building consent to make the changes.

It is currently unstable because of the trees roots underneath the sandstone base

The cross was originally situated outside the Chetham Arms Inn but was relocated in 1845 to Turton Tower.

In 1933, it was moved by Turton Urban District Council to the entrance to the community garden, where it is now.

The tall wooden shaft and metal cap of the medieval cross are modern additions.

North Turton Parish Council said it was looking into quotations from specialist companies on the options available.

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