A revamp of London’s second-largest public square is set to be signed off next week at the first major planning meeting of Westminster’s new Labour-led council.
Grosvenor launched a project to rethink Grosvenor Square W1, back in 2017, gathering feedback from more than 4,000 Londoners. Plans were submitted late last year.
The Tonkin Liu-designed proposals in front of Westminster Council’s committee next week include a shaded garden, new central open garden that reinstates the original oval shape from the 1720s, waterfall canopies and wetlands, and play spaces and education centre.
Grosvenor has previously said the scheme will drive a biodiversity net gain of 15.5%, with a 500% increase in the number of plant species and 26 more trees. The company last month revealed details of its new biodiversity strategy, which includes an overarching goal of a 20% increase in biodiversity on managed green spaces and doubling on developments by 2030.
A report on the Grosvenor Square scheme from Westminster planning officers noted that the proposals had attracted a “large number” of comments of support and “are likely to make the gardens a more social space, with greater level of interaction and animation”.
The report added that it had received objections from the London Gardens Trust and the Designing Out Crime Office. The former has said it “regret[s]” changes to the setting of the Roosevelt Memorial.
Grosvenor has said the redevelopment could be ready in time for the square’s 300th anniversary in 2025.
To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@eg.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @EGPropertyNews
