The council approved the scheme, which includes a statue of Queen Elizabeth II at Marlborough Gate, a companion statue of Prince Philip, a bust of the late Queen at Birdcage Walk, and a glass bridge replacing the existing walkway. The project is estimated to cost between £23 million and £46 million. The Queen Anne's Gate Residents' Association opposes the memorial plans, alleging they could spark a rise in crime and anti-social behavior.
According to police data, there were 1,078 incidents of theft and anti-social behavior in the area in January alone, with 14,986 in total over the last 12 months. Residents suggest the statue would cause a boom in tourism, harming the Grade I-listed park and causing congestion chaos. Westminster City Council concluded that any harm caused by the plans is fully outweighed by the substantial public benefits of the scheme.
Our members are concerned that several elements of the proposal will facilitate increased crime and anti-social behavior.
The architects behind the plans described the memorial as an exceptional opportunity to commemorate and celebrate a figure beloved worldwide. Sculptor Martin Jennings, who created a bust of the late Queen Mother and the first crowned coinage portrait of King Charles III, will create the statue. Foster & Partners won a competition last year to design the national tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
Planning officers admitted the plans would cause harm to the Grade II listed Marlborough Gate and the Blue Bridge, and impact trees and biodiversity. The Grade II listed Marlborough Gate will be dismantled and re-erected in modified form further south to make way for the principal statue. The Blue Bridge will be replaced by a wider tiara-inspired model designed by Foster & Partners.
The creation of new hiding spaces for muggers and the creation of new spaces for overnight sleeping.
Conservationists alleged that critiques of the plan were not welcomed or addressed in a recent public consultation. The scheme also includes a memorial path, a bronze wind sculpture by Yinka Shonibare, a memorial path through UK and Commonwealth Gardens, a children's discovery trail, and relocation of The Boy drinking fountain. Two residents' groups representing millionaires in Mayfair and St James's objected to the plans.
It remains unclear what specific measures, if any, will be implemented to address residents' concerns about increased crime and anti-social behavior. The project's estimated cost of £23-46 million has not been detailed in terms of funding sources, and the expected timeline for construction and completion is unknown. Additionally, detailed plans for the children's discovery trail and how the relocation of heritage assets will be carried out to minimize harm have not been disclosed.
A major physical transformation of the park was not necessary or proportionate.
Overall, in heritage asset terms, the proposals cause harm, due to reconfiguration of the Grade II listed Marlborough Gate, and because of the total loss of the Blue Bridge which is an undesignated heritage asset.
This harm is fully outweighed by the substantial public benefits of the scheme which include a widened bridge, creation of an accessible landscape, and a national memorial of great importance.