Concerns over plans to clean Saffron Walden War Memorial

Saffron Walden Town Council submitted plans to Uttlesford District Council for listed building consent for cleaning and renovating the war memorial in the town’s high street.

Uttlesford District Council refused permission due to concerns about the cleaning methods and their impact on the monument.

The war memorial is located on the corner of High Street and Audley Road. It is 7.7 metres high and has an octagonal plinth and column, which has a cross on top. Bronze plaques and wreaths line the bottom of the column.

The plans state that a range of cleaning methods were proposed, including hand brushing with a soft-bristle brush and water, bronze stain remover, and methods using high-temperature steam, a low-pressure swirling vortex of water, fine inert granulate, and air.

The decision notice states: "The proposed cleaning and renovation by reason of the proposed cleaning methods would fail to preserve the special interest of the listed building, causing 'less than substantial harm' to its significance.

"Public benefits associated with the proposal would not outweigh this harm."

Katherine Jennings, council officer, recommended that the plans not be agreed.

Her report states: "The conservation officer reports that, given the previous approval for the cleaning of the war memorial was seven years ago, renewed cleaning and renovation in such a short time period would not be necessary or justified.

"Overcleaning of the stone, as advised by Historic England, can cause more damage than the benefits it could provide.

"The proposed cleaning methods, given the time since the last cleaning, were also considered too vigorous, and the heritage officer reported that only gentle cleaning with a soft brush and water would be acceptable.

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"Following from the initial comments from the conservation officer, the applicant provided a revised heritage statement with amendments to the proposed cleaning; however, this would not resolve the heritage objection as cleaning methods other than water and a soft brush were proposed,  nebulous water spray and bronze stain remover poultice.

"As such, the revision was not accepted. Therefore, due to the proposed cleaning and renovation methods, and the amount of time between the previous cleaning and the submission of this application, the proposal would fail to preserve the special interest of the listed building, causing ‘less than substantial harm’ to the significance of the asset."

Saffron Walden Town Council has been contacted for comment.