Covid-19 memorial woodland plan backed by council

The memorial woodland would cover 25 acres of land on a boundary of the National Memorial Arboretum (artist's impression)

Plans to transform former quarry land into a living memorial for those who died during the Covid-19 pandemic have won the backing of councillors.

A new woodland is set to be created on 25 acres of land at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

It will include water features, spaces for reflection and new visitor facilities, and has been approved by Lichfield District Council.

But the decision will be referred to a government minister for confirmation, as the Environment Agency has objected due to the site in Alrewas being in a flood zone.

The proposed woodland memorial would provide a "focal place for reflection and contemplation of the impact of this globally-significant event," said agent Marie Stacey, who spoke in support of the application.

There were no reasonable alternative areas of lower flood risk within the Arboretum or adjacent to it, Ms Stacey added.

Areas of lower flood risk were already developed, not large enough to accommodate the proposed development, or not available now.

There would be no net loss of flood plain storage and no additional risk to people or property, the agent stated.

'Important'

Lichfield District Council planning committee voted to approve the scheme.

“The buildings are not habitable they are purely functional – if it looked likely to be a flood then I’m sure moves would be put in place to evacuate or simply not open it," said councillor David Salter.

It was important there was a lasting memorial, and it was very pertinent to a lot of people, stated councillor Diane Evans.

The council's decision will be referred to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for confirmation, due to the flood concern raised by the Environment Agency.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.