Controversial plans to relocate a town’s 102-year-old war memorial 16 metres away have been thrown out by a planning inspector.

It brings to an end a long-running dispute between those promoting the move and campaigners who believe the historic stone monument should stay where it was originally erected.

The Faversham War Memorial Garden Committee was keen to relocate the stone cross from the corner of Stone Street and Roman Road into the heart of the town’s Memorial Gardens - located directly behind the structure.

The idea was first broached in 2016 when it was rejected by Swale Borough Council.

Objectors described it as an “unnecessary waste of money” and feared the Grade II-listed monument might be damaged through a “bodged job”.

But committee members insisted it could be relocated by specialist stonemasons and would allow easier and safer access, especially for the disabled.

They also pointed to examples of other war memorials which had been moved, including in Sittingbourne and Cambridge.

The memorial was unveiled in 1922 but, unlike many others, it does not carry the names of the war dead.

Instead, the names of the 575 men from Faversham who lost their lives in both world wars are inscribed on plaques inside the garden where poppy wreath laying on Remembrance Sunday takes place - another reason why supporters argued the stone cross should be moved closer into the garden.

In a bid to gain the approval of the borough council, the memorial garden committee submitted a fresh, enhanced planning application last year.

The £120,000 project included the formation of a new peace corner, comprising interpretation boards with local reflections, a raised bed for planting wooden crosses on the site of the existing war memorial base, and a new access path.

The town’s branch of the Royal British Legion supported the move, saying its current location presents access problems to older veterans and disabled people.

But it sparked more than 40 objections, including ones from Faversham Town Council, the Faversham Society and the War Memorials Trust, which led to Swale Borough Council refusing the application.

The memorial garden committee appealed the decision but failed to persuade the Planning Inspectorate.

The inspector feared that relocating the monument would “give it the appearance of architectural salvage or a relic disconnected from its original location”.

He adds: “Its physical and visual connection with the adjacent roads and the Cottage Hospital would be severed and removing it would seriously undermine its historic and communal value.

“Relocating the monument would make it the focus of the garden and would give it a grandiose setting which would be at odds with the modest and understated design and scale of the monument.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

“It would have the appearance of architectural salvage or a relic, disconnected from its original location. Due to its location at the back of the Memorial Gardens, it would be less prominent in the street scene and less visible to passers-by.”

He also feared that despite assurances otherwise, relocating the stone cross could damage it.

The Faversham War Memorial Garden Committee was approached for comment.