£1m. to relocate the war memorial

Architect Andrew Ozanne, director at Lovell Ozanne, who is the architectural advisor to the St. Paul's Regeneration Committee, said if planning permission were granted, it would look at ways of raising the money.

He said this could be through donations, single subscription or, for example, the space could be rented for weddings and receptions.

Concerns have been raised about the plans, submitted by Education, Sport & Culture, which has responsibility for monuments, with 1,187 people signing a petition to save the gardens.

A rally against the move is taking place there at 1pm on Sunday.

One of the concerns was the loss of a green area in Town.

Mr Ozanne said the site was relatively new as a green area because it was where St Paul's Church stood.

'The proposal will have no effect on the mature trees to the west of the site immediately next to St James and the remaining landscaping to the perimeter will be maintained and improved to encourage wildlife on the basis of an appropriate sustainable bio-diversity strategy.

'In addition, it is proposed that a number of trees and shrubs contained in planters will be installed providing shade and shelter for seated areas.'

He said there was a suggestion to turn the memorial around, however it has consulted with authorities in the UK and concluded this would be disrespectful.