KNUTSFORD is set for a new centennial war memorial, after the town council secured planning permission to move a statue from the British Red Cross building to the library gardens.

The statue of Knutsfordian serviceman Haron Baronian who died in the First World War aged just 21, will be moved from its existing site and re-mounted on a plinth outside the library in Toft Road.

The move comes with the future of the British Red Cross building in Northwich Road – Knutsford’s physical war memorial – up for sale.

Adam Keppel-Garner, Knutsford Town Council clerk, said: “The town council is delighted that planning permission has been granted for the Centennial War Memorial.

“This is an important project for the town council and we are pleased to be able to proceed with the target of having the new memorial in place for Remembrance Sunday 2017.”

The planning application, lodged in January, was considered by Cheshire East Council and approved last Monday, March 21.

Replacing a bird bath and also involving pruning work to library garden trees, the statue and its new plinth’s proposed location was considered an acceptable and compliant option.

Fiona Reynolds, a Cheshire East Council planning officer who recommended the plans for approval, said: “The choice of site and the relocation of the statue has been the subject of a public consultation undertaken by Knutsford Town Council.

“From the 105 responses there was strong support for the removal from the current site and the choice of the library gardens for the relocation of the statue and creation of a new war memorial.”

According to the plans, the plinth will be made of granite and 2.26m tall, with an overall height including the statue of 4.16m.

The new plinth is proposed to be engraved with the names of the fallen, and other inscriptions relating to the statue and the project to install it.

George Peacock, British Red Cross head of property, said: “We’re pleased that Knutsford Town Council has been given planning permission to move the memorial statue to the new site, so that it can continue to be available to members of the community as a lasting tribute to those who lost their lives in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts.”