Grosvenor has won unanimous approval for its revamp of London’s second-largest public square.
The estate launched a project to rethink Grosvenor Square W1, back in 2017. The Tonkin Liu-designed 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.
All five members of Westminster council’s major planning applications committee voted in favour of the scheme. Councillor Robert Rigby described the proposals as “one of the most exciting applications I’ve had to debate”.
James Raynor, chief executive of Grosvenor Property UK, said: “The pandemic underscored the lack of high-quality green space in central London that makes room for both people and nature. This incredible project will deliver much of what is needed so badly – creating an exceptional environment for everyone who lives in, or comes to, the area.”
The scheme is expected to drive a biodiversity net gain of 15.5%, with a five-fold increase in the number of plant species and 24 more trees.
The project is anticipated to begin in 2024 and to be complete in time for the square’s 300th anniversary the following year.
The council said 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”.
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