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Search the Public Notice PortalPlans for a monument commemorating Trowbridge’s crucial role in building Spitfires during the Second World War are likely to move to a new location after concerns were raised about the original site.
The iconic fighter aircraft were built in secret factories in Trowbridge during the war at a site now occupied by the Spitfire Retail Park on Bradley Road.
A permanent monument has been proposed to celebrate the town’s historic connection to the famous aircraft.
Initial plans would have seen the memorial installed on the Bradley Road roundabout, but those proposals have now been abandoned.
Dr Simon Selby, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland for South West England, who has spearheaded the project, said he was pleased that alternative locations were now being considered.
“To be honest, I don’t mind where it goes, as long as it gets plenty of attention,” he said. “I am optimistically hopeful that it will go ahead.
“We have got a supplier and we have got the designs for the plinth, we just need to get on and do it.
“After the disappointment of the highways issues, a more central site near The Civic now potentially looks to be a front-runner. With both Polish and British determination, I am confident we can achieve this.”
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The original scheme was revised after an earlier proposal for a larger scale model of a Spitfire proved impractical.
The redesigned monument featured three model Spitfires mounted above 16 limestone plinths representing the nations involved in the aircraft’s story, together with a commemorative plaque.
However, Trowbridge Town Council withdrew its planning application in May following objections from Wiltshire Council’s highways department.
While highways officers raised no concerns about the aircraft models themselves or the commemorative plaque, they objected to the 16 limestone plinths around the roundabout.
They said the structures would compete visually with road safety signage and could pose a danger to motorists and motorcyclists if struck in a collision.
Following the withdrawal of the application, the town council is now considering alternative sites.
Potential locations include a circular area within the community garden in Trowbridge Town Park, close to The Civic Centre, and a site near County Hall on Bythesea Road.
The community garden is understood to be the preferred option because of its accessibility and the limited disruption installation would cause.
The existing garden would need to be relocated if the monument is approved there.
The memorial would incorporate flags featuring QR codes, enabling visitors to access information about the history of the Spitfire and Trowbridge’s role in its production.
Dr Selby said the latest proposal centres on a single Spitfire and is expected to cost around £10,000.
Funding would be raised once a revised planning application is submitted, with businesses in the UK and overseas already expressing an interest in supporting the project.
“It’s a significant monument for the relationship between Poles and Brits – anyone who sees it should be reminded that we have a huge debt,” said Dr Selby.
“The sacrifice was massive. We owe it to them.”
Support for the project continues to grow, with nearly 330 people having signed an online petition backing the monument.
The petition can be viewed at: https://www.change.org/p/support-the-spitfire-monument-project
