War memorials are collective monuments to the many lives lost as a consequence of war. Many are of significant architectural, historic or artistic interest and have become key parts of the historic environment.
Search the Historic Environment Record to find out more about war memorials in York; visit War Memorials Online for a UK-wide list.
Working on a war memorial
If work is required on a war memorial, consider that:
- planning permission is rarely required for routine work
- major alterations normally require planning permission
- demolition to all or part of a memorial within a conservation area requires planning permission
- relocation is considered as a type of demolition
- any erection or demolition in a conservation area requires planning permission
Work on a listed or scheduled war memorial
Listed memorials require listed building consent (LBC) if works will affect the special architectural character or historic interest of the monument including relocation. Maintenance and like-for-like repairs do not require listed building consent unless they affect the character of the structure. Memorials within the grounds of listed buildings would normally be regarded as being listed.
Scheduled monuments or memorials within a scheduled area require Scheduled Consent (SMC) through Historic England for most work, including maintenance.
War Memorials Trust
Custodians can apply for a grant (of up to 75% of costs) to repair war memorials (primarily for WWI) from the War Memorials Trust.