Planning permission has been granted this month for two projects at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as part of its Capital Programme. LUC has provided all planning advice to the delivery team and secured consent from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames with fundamental support from our landscape architects and ecologists.

Consent has been granted for the demolition of the existing Pavilion Restaurant and its replacement with a new building. The proposed scheme will introduce a new structure and landscaping works to replace the existing building which is no longer fit for purpose. This will enhance the economic vitality and long-term conservation of the Gardens whilst protecting its status as a World Heritage Site, Registered Park and Garden and Conservation Area. In particular, our ecologists developed mitigation proposals to address the presence of bat roosts and are providing ongoing support to obtain a Natural England licence.

LUC’s planning application to upgrade facilities at the Arboretum Nursery, which houses rare temperate collections from all over the world, has also been approved. This rebuild project will involve constructing a new state-of-the-art building to ensure the continued care of the plant collection as well as improving the facilities for the staff, supporting the Gardens’ World Heritage Site Status. The scheme will also provide a new opportunity for visitors to experience Kew by introducing a public viewing area and walkway through the glasshouse.

For more information on our ongoing work with the Capital Programme at Kew, click here.