Workington memorial cross set to win planning approval

Peter Nelson's memorial at Workington's slag banks Credit: ITV Border

A grieving widower who erected a controversial 9ft cross in memory of his late wife looks set to win his battle for planning permission.

Officers at Allerdale Borough Council are recommending that Peter Nelson's memorial on Workington's slag banks be given retrospective planning permission despite an objection from Workington Town Council.

Mr Nelson of Vulcan's Lane, Workington, put up the crucifix without planning permission last summer but was ordered by Cumbria County Council, which owns the land, to remove it.

However, local support from churches and the publicfor keeping the structure in place gathered pace so Mr Nelson refused to remove it and sought retrospective planning permission.

Almost 1,800 people have signed a petition supporting the application while six letters of objection have been sent to Allerdale Borough Council.

The paper going before councillors on Allerdale's development panel next Tuesday (3 March) states: "The proposal is considered appropriate for the locality and satisfies current planning policy. The application is recommended for approval."