RENOVATIONS to a West Devon war memorial are due to start this week, after eight years of planning.
A site meeting was held at the memorial in Bere Ferrers recently, attended by residents, local councillors, architect John Page, Stephen Russell from Tamar Valley Services and Gunnislake contractor Colin Bratchley.
The remedial work, costing more than £7,000, will include stabilising the granite structure known as ?the well?. The tarmac and surface material will be removed to expose the bedrock and the surface will be made safe.
A channel will be repaired to cope with surface water, shallow steps and a handrail are due to be built and, at the suggestion of the borough council?s conservation office, some of the render on the war memorial panel will be removed to determine its original construction.
Originally, a landscaped rockery area had been suggested for the site. This has been revised in favour of four lower maintenance granite troughs and a seat.
Various plans for the renovation of the memorial have been put forward in the last few years and problems have been encountered, including a dispute over ownership of the land.
Originally, it had been claimed the memorial was within the ownership of the Earl of Mt Edgcumbe. The dispute has now been settled amicably, and the memorial is in the ownership of the parish council.
The renovation works are likely to last around three weeks.