The Original, Proposed Sites Of The Memorial.
The first proposed site along Within Lane was rejected by Highways on safety grounds. It was on the perimeter of the battlefield site and the view was not attractive, being affected by the extensive buildings of the Ministry of Defence No.6 depot.
The second proposed site for which Stafford Borough Council gained a planning Permission, but an acceptable agreement with its landowner could not be obtained, lies within the battlefield site, at a point established by English Heritage as the Royalist viewpoint and allowed a good overall view of the battlefield area. The superceeded second proposed location was accessible for pedestrians being on a path and with four converging footpaths.
The Present Site For The Memorial.
The present site secured by the West Midlands Branch of The Military Historical Society with a 25 year lease is near to the previous site beside a public footpath, to allow it to be viewed easily but away from Within Lane to avoid parking problems and Highways Department objections.
As there is a need for the memorial to be noticed by passing pedestrians, the third site again considered that natural materials would best suit the environment. The two main, previous proposals were for a cairn, or a single standing sandstone block. The latter was the permitted option, and should have a major impact by its appearance near the footpath. The memorial is situated back from the footpath behind the perimeter fence for its protection, security and to reduce the risk of its damage by passing farm machinery, but near enough for its plaque and the interpretation panel to be easily read.
As there are no trees in the immediate vicinity there is no impact on any trees especially as the foundation trench will only be 1.4m x 1.0m.
The Battlefield monument is sited just behing the security fence of MoD No.6 Site, Hopton against the public footpath running from Within Lane to Brick Kiln Lane. The Grid Reference for the Battlefield monument is:
SJ 954263.