Plans have been unveiled for a new "tranquil and reflective garden" in The Regent's Park to commemorate the late Queen.
Park users and local residents are being asked to have their say on proposals for the two-acre plot in a former plant nursery, that is currently inaccessible to the public.
The Royal Parks charity has released sketches of the scheme and is asking for feedback via an online survey.
Plans to mark the life of Queen Elizabeth II include a pond, pergola with climbing plants, flower garden, and the transformation of a disused water tower into an elevated platform with views over the garden.
If approved, the green space between Chester Road and the Broad Walk will open in 2026 to coincide with what would have been the late Queen’s 100th birthday.
Park managers say it will deliver a huge boost to biodiversity in the form of hedgerows, trees, meadows, wildlife-attracting plants and the new pond. Plants and trees will be selected that can adapt to the UK’s changing climate, as well as species that were significant to Queen Elizabeth II’s life.
Andrew Scattergood, CEO of The Royal Parks, said: "This garden is a unique opportunity to transform grey to green and return two acres of beautiful green space to central London.
“The garden’s design will deliver horticultural excellence, along with significant benefits to nature. It will be a tranquil and reflective garden, the antithesis to the hustle and bustle of the city, and we hope that people will come and spend some quiet time there, enjoying the natural landscape and the wonderful year-round colour that the garden will provide.”
London-based landscape architects, HTA Design LLP have been appointed to design the garden as a space welcoming to all, with wide, fully accessible paths and places to stop, sit and reflect.
Sustainability is an important aspect of the project with The Royal Parks aiming to re-use a substantial amount of demolition material in the new garden, such as crushed concrete, brick and steelwork.
The deadline for survey responses is 28 January 2024, but representatives from The Royal Parks will also be by the Espresso Bar in Broad Walk on January 20 from 11am to 3pm, and January 23 from 11am to 3pm to collect feedback.
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