Dispute arises over ‘excessive’ plan to convert Victorian toilet block into war memorial

Residents have hit out at ‘frivolous’ plans to turn a recently unearthed Victorian toilet block into a war memorial.

The site, in Folkestone, Kent, was constructed in the 1880s but closed in the 1940s. It was rediscovered after a landslip in the area in January 2024.

History enthusiast Bob Mouland has now submitted proposals to use the latrine, along the Road of Remembrance, to commemorate soldiers who fought in the First World War.

It is estimated nine million men passed through the town during the conflict, inspiring Mr Mouland’s proposals.

He hopes to add a 7.5m flagpole, a soldier silhouette, poppies, and a plaque above the latrine’s entrance.

The bid has won the support of Kent County Council (KCC) and Folkestone Town Council as well as some residents.

But the New Folkestone Society has expressed opposition, saying the site lacks any tangible connection to the First World War.

A comment lodged on Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) planning portal states: ‘Although we applaud the applicant’s efforts to restore the Victorian latrine, we have concerns about its misassociation with the military.

‘There is no evidence the facilities were ever used by soldiers marching down the hill – they would have been in formation with the “step short” command, and their destination in sight.

‘It seems excessive, frivolous and incongruous to convert something that was never related to WW1 into a memorial.

‘Introducing a flagpole that protrudes above the clifftop would certainly have an impact on the area and potentially the six listed structures within close proximity.’

The ‘step short’ is an instruction to shorten the stride to negotiate a gradient and the society claims that troops would not have broken formation to use the latrine before reaching the port.

They also highlighted the number of memorials already in the area which include the Blunderstone Memorial and the Step Short arch, both dedicated to soldiers in the First World War.

Knitted poppies attached to railings along the Road of Remembrance have also served as a tribute to those who passed by on the way to the battlefields of Europe.

However, Mr Mouland said that tens of thousands of British and Commonwealth troops passed on down that hill.

‘Whether they used the facility or not, I can’t prove they did, but the opposition can’t prove they didn’t.

‘Soldiers passed on down that structure, and the public conveniences were there when thousands marched past.

‘There is not a single memorial or mention of those soldiers who went from the top of the hill down to the bottom.’

In total, three comments in support and two opposing the plans have been added to the planning portal.

Cllr Mary Lawes, who represents Folkestone East, said: ‘This is a wonderful and heartfelt proposal and one I fully support.

‘It is one of many heritage projects Mr Mouland has undertaken to preserve small but historically meaningful features that others may have considered beyond saving.

‘While some have stated that this would not constitute an official memorial, there is nothing preventing it from being regarded as a memorial in spirit and purpose.

‘While there are differing views as to whether soldiers specifically used the former latrine building, there is no definitive evidence to disprove that they did not.

‘Regardless, the significance of the Road of Remembrance itself as a historic departure point is well established, and the tribute reflects that wider context.’

A decision is expected by next month.