IT WAS the biggest seaborne invasion the world had ever seen.

More than 130,000 troops took part in the D-Day landings, which heralded the liberation of Europe and marked the beginning of the end of the Second World War.

Towns and cities along the south coast played a key role in the Normandy invasion, which was codenamed Operation Overlord.

Now plans to build a D-Day memorial at Stokes Bay, Gosport, have been unveiled.

The scheme includes a semi-circular memorial space and memorial stones representing each of the D-Day beaches, plus flagpoles and a seating area.

Stokes Bay was one of the sites where huge concrete caissons were built before being towed to Normandy, where they formed the famous Mulberry Harbours.

It was also used as a training area during the run-up to the invasion as well as an embarkation point.

The proposed memorial will built beside Stokes Bay Sailing Club, which occupies a seafront building that was used to control operations.

Older residents can recall seeing Normandy-bound tanks lined up nose-to-tail along roads in the town. As D-Day approached Gosport was visited by King George VI, Winston Churchill and General Montgomery.

The planning application says: "The memorial will serve as historical touchstones linking the past to the present and enabling the community to remember and respect the sacrifices of those who participated in WWII and other conflicts."

"It is intended that the memorial will represent a focal point for the community, particularly on occasions such as Remembrance Sunday or anniversary events."

The scheme is outlined in a Public Notice published by Gosport Borough Council, which will decide the application.

Here is a round up of Public Notices giving details of licensing applications, temporary road closures and other changes affecting communities.

Road closures:

Southampton City Council is closing part of Priory Road and part of Aberdeen Road from August 30 to enable a pedestrian crossing to be installed. The works are due to be completed by October 19. An alternative route will be advertised locally.

Hampshire County Council is closing Hill Grove Lane, Swanmore, between its junctions with Droxford Road and Cott Street from September 2 (9.30am-3.30pm) to enable roadworks to be carried out. The works are expected to be completed within two days.

Hampshire County Council is closing Cottagers Lane, Hordle, between its junctions with Everton Road and Slade Close from August 31 (8am-4pm) to allow roadworks to take place. The works to be completed within three days.

Licensing applications:

Vehicle Logistics Company Ltd, 55 Kendal Avenue Southampton, applying for permission to keep and extra two goods vehicles and five trailers at the operating centre at Site 13A, Eling Wharf, Totton.

Biomarsh Environmental Ltd, of BioMarsh House, Fountain Drive, Hertford, is applying for permission to keep an extra goods vehicle at the operating centre at Rookery Farm, Fishers Pond.