War memorial cleaning at Lover's Walk, Dumfries

“This application relates to the cleaning of the Dumfries War Memorial, which was erected in 1922 and stands on the pavement to the front of St John's Scottish Episcopal Church, at the junction between Newall Terrace and Lover’s Walk, to the north-east of the town centre. The Memorial depicts the figure of a Scottish solider, standing on a square granite plinth, which has a pillar on each corner and steps to the base. Names are inscribed on both the plinth and the steps.”

“This application seeks planning permission to clean the Memorial using water and brushes. No chemicals would be used and the work would be carried out by experienced contractors, working from a mobile tower scaffold where necessary. The Memorial would be left looking clean, but not as new, as there would be residual patina. The lettering is in good order and the paint should not be affected unduly by the cleaning.”

“PUBLIC PUBLIC 1.5 Although the Memorial is unlisted, it is located within the Dumfries Conservation Area, hence the need for planning permission. It also lies within an area of Archaeological Interest and is included in the Council’s Historic Environment Record. There are no other relevant planning constraints.”

“Council Senior Planner (Built Heritage Policy) – No objection subject to a condition that the cleaning of the stonework should not involve use of pressure hoses.”

“That the development hereby granted planning permission must be begun within three years of the date of this permission.”

“PUBLIC PUBLIC 2. That the Memorial shall not be cleaned using any method / materials other than water applied with soft brushes. No abrasive, chemical or pressure washing methods shall be employed.”

“APPROVED application 25/1261/FUL subject to conditions as detailed in the report.”