On the 12 of September 2014 an official letter was received from the Mayor of Langemark-Poelkapelle granting a permanent site for the Poppy cenotaph. The site is adjacent to the German war cemetery, which receives in excess of 253,000 visitors annually and is one of the most frequently visited cemeteries in the region.
He wrote:
“Dear Mister Vandecasteele,
The local council communicates its agreement in principle for the realisation and the placement of the artwork (i.e. the Poppy Cenotaph). For this project the municipality offers the location next to the reception pavilion at the German Military Cemetery, in Klerkenstraat, Langemark-Poelkapelle.
Both ‘Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen’ and the ‘Deutsche Volksbund’ have seen the plans and they raised no objections. Provided that the municipality of Langemark-Poelkapelle can act as founder, there is no need for a building permit for the project.
Together with the municipality, there will be drafted an engagements note. This engagements note serves as a guideline for the realisation of the project.
Kind regards,
Alain Wyffels
Mayor”
The site benefits from an existing access road and parking however, to allow for increased visitors and safer manoeuvring of larger vehicles such as coaches, the car park is to be extended. The services of a landscape Architect have been acquired to design the general layout, footpaths, drainage, the access ramp and steps. Details of the layout design will be featured soon.
