Normandy D-Day Memorial To Go Ahead Despite Residents' Complaints

An artist's impression of the D-Day Normandy memorial (Picture: Normandy Memorial Trust).

Approval has been given for construction of a D-Day memorial to go ahead after locals voiced concerns that the monument would block their view.

Residents of the French village of Ver-sur-Mer in Normandy said they were unhappy about the plans for a monument to more than 22,000 members of the British Armed forces who died in the D-Day landings and the battle of Normandy.

It is to be built on a hillside overlooking Gold Beach, near the village of Ver-sur-Mer, one of the landing sites for British troops.

It will include a roll of honour of the names of 22,442 members of the British Armed forces who died in the landings.

The British Government has provided a £20 million grant, and the trust is hoping to raise a further £9 million through its '22,442 Sacrifice For Freedom' campaign.

The Prince of Wales has given his "wholehearted support" behind the charity constructing it, becoming Royal Patron of the Normandy Memorial Trust, and said:

"I'd long been concerned that the memory of these remarkable individuals should be preserved for generations to come as an example of personal courage and sacrifice, for the benefit of the wider national, and, indeed, international, community."

The first foundation stone is to be laid in a ceremony on 6 June, the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings, when more than 150,000 British, American and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along the heavily fortified French coast.

Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron are both said to have committed to attending the ceremony.

In February, the Normandy Memorial Trust said it had worked closely with the local community and that the wall will not block views of the sea.

The residents said they are not against honouring Allies who fought but rather want to preserve their village.