KINGSTON AND NORTH KINGSTON NEIGHBOURHOOD

Conservation Areas Advisory Committee

PLANNING APPLICATION COMMENT FORM UPDATE: 13 Nov 2024

CA1

RBK ref: 24/01190/LBC

Address: War Memorial Garden Union Street Kingston Upon Thames Planning Officer: Karen Coles

Description of proposed works: Landscape and public realm improvements including new pathways and improved hardstanding, new garden and habitat planting beds and trees, new pedestrian connections through to the east of the site, new lighting, new street furniture and play equipment, and improvements to the setting of heritage assets, including the Grade II* listed War Memorial.

APPRAISAL

By full committee on …… 10 July 2024 …… with …… 5 …… members present

Issued on 10 Jul 2024

1. Positive support		2. No objection
3. Objection		4. Objection unless revised as below	X
5. No comment/neutral		6. Lack of detail
7. Decision already issued

Reason for objection:

Objection unless revised as below.

We endorse the LPA’s aim to improve this community space which has been neglected for several years. Much of the detail in the PA appears sympathetic to the subject, except: 1) there is little information on proposed improvements to the setting of the war memorial. This is one of few grade 2* listed assets in the Borough & should be the focal point of the refurbished gardens with appropriate soft landscaping & lighting to highlight it to maximum effect; 2) the inclusion of ‘gentle play equipment’ (ie hollow logs) & ‘wave loungers’ is inappropriate & disrespectful to the memorial & adjacent burial ground. The gardens should primarily be a place of quiet contemplation not a family playground; & 3) we would prefer that the cloisters are opened up fully by removing all the existing railings, which create a claustrophobic feel to the place.