The decision was taken at the meeting of Trustees on 5th March 2019. The delay is due to a combination of issues, but the most pressing was a delay in planning permission confirmation and the environmental issues and costs associated with clearing the site with nesting birds as Spring approaches.
The Trust now plans to clear the site at the Arboretum early next year, complete the offsite and on site build of the Memorial throughout 2020 and dedicate it in the spring of 2021. We will be writing to all stakeholders to make them aware of this decision.
Although the build of the physical memorial will be delayed, plans to develop the innovative Digital Police Memorial continue. This will tell the stories of the men and women who have given their lives to serve their communities and protect us from harm and will be launched in the Summer of 2019 in London.
Sir Hugh Orde, Chair of Trustees, said: “Obviously, the delayed build of the physical memorial is regrettable, but Trustees believe it is the right decision and are committed to delivering this project for the benefit of the Police service and the nation as a whole.”
