A permanent memorial commemorating thousands of bomber aircrew who lost their lives during the Second World War is to be built in central London Members of Westminster City Council's planning applications sub-committee have given the go-ahead for the £3.5m Bomber Command memorial to be built.

Approximately 55,573 aircrew of RAF Bomber Command, with an average age of just 22, were killed during high risk operations over enemy territory.

Its role was to attack Germany's military strength by bombing airbases, troops, shipping and industries connected to the war effort, forcing Hitler onto the defensive.

The open pavilion memorial, designed in a classical style and created by Liam O'Connor Architects and Planning Consultants will be made from Portland stone and sited at the Piccadilly entrance to Green Park.

Alastair Moss, chairman of the deciding sub-committee said: "This new landmark for London is a fitting tribute to the heroes of Bomber Command who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It is a sign of this country's gratitude to these exceptional people who were brave enough to fight for us and it will stand as an iconic London monument marking how good came to triumph over evil for many generations to come."

The proposal was championed by the Bomber Command Association, alongside the RAF and Heritage Foundation whose president is Robin Gibb. It won the backing of Mark Field, Conservative MP for Cities of London and Westminster, and alderman Nick Anstee, the Lord Mayor of the City of London among others.

However its concept, size, design and location in the Grade II listed park, attracted some objections from groups including the Westminster Society, the Knightsbridge Association and the London Parks and Gardens Trust. Part of its roof will be made from melted down aluminium sections of a Halifax bomber shot down over Belgium on May 12, 1944 and in which eight crew were killed.

Three of the crew who have all posthumously been given full military honours, mid upper-gunner John Summerhayes, tail gunner Fred Roach and pilot Wilbur Bentz, were found when the aircraft was excavated in 1997.

The memorial will house a sculpture of seven aircrew by Philip Jackson and also include inscriptions from Sir Winston Churchill and illustrative carvings of the principal aircraft of Bomber Command with the Hurricane and Spitfire fighter aircraft.