Trees and benches are set to be removed from Carlisle city centre as part of a major revamp of Market Square and Greenmarket.
Two trees will have to be removed as they are suffering from ash dieback.
The regeneration project has already underway, with hoardings set up in the city centre.
Cumberland Council is transforming the 6,000sq m space, which it says will become a vibrant destination with an events space for activities and gatherings.
The war memorial will be moved and the two smaller trees will be removed.
The council said that tree removal was a last resort, carried out only when trees are dead, dying, diseased, or pose a safety hazard. To improve the local environment, four new trees will be planted.
The repositioning of the war memorial is fully supported by the Royal British Legion, the authority said.
Benches in the Greenmarket area will also be removed, with memorial nameplates stored and preserved to be added to new benches when they are installed.
The ongoing improvement works may impact on the city centre events programme, the council added, but Remembrance Sunday commemorations on November 10 will proceed as planned.
Businesses will remain open as usual, and deliveries will not be disrupted, it said.
