THE war memorials in Winsford town centre could be moved as part of plans to redevelop the area.

Cheshire West and Chester Council wants to regenerate the site around Winsford Cross Shopping Centre as part of a wider £21m investment project.

The plans would include the partial demolition and phased regeneration of the centre and would require the two monuments at Fountain Court – the Cenotaph and the Boer War Memorial – to be relocated to a new civic square nearby in the redesigned town centre which would host future civic events.

A heritage impact assessment submitted with the plans said: “It is felt that the current location, in the middle of a shopping centre, is an inappropriate setting for a war memorial.

“They are a focal point for commemoration and reflection.

"A new setting, in a prominent public purposely designed space will allow for an improved setting and context.”

The Grade II listed war memorial was designed following the Boer War and is one of 279 listed in England. The cenotaph was designed following the First World War and more names were added to it after the Second World War.

The report added: “The proposal would involve the careful dismantling of the war memorials, of which one is listed, and which requires an application for listed building consent.

“It is recommended that prior to that they are recorded, and laser scanned, so that any repair works can be programmed in.

“A period will need to be agreed for their storage and re-erection.

"The war memorials' location in a planned landscaped area, that allows for reflection, will allow for their significance to be better revealed.”