Multi-faceted proposals submitted on behalf of the applicant The Cabinet Office, has been was granted planning committee consented by Westminster City Council for the partial relandscaping of St. James’s Park to create a National Memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II, including the installation of figurative sculptures,
a replacement bridge, works to Marlborough Gates and the relocation of the public conveniences, kiosk, gas lamps and The Boy Statue.
In the scheme designed personally principally by Norman Foster and his eponymous firm Foster + Partners, was the the evolved winning entry in a design competition in 2025.
The monument to Queen Elizabeth II will feature a statue of her standing, rather than on horseback as previously illustrated.
The memorial, including three statues and a tiara-shaped glass balustrade which will replace the The Blue Bridge and bridge which is considered to be life-expired after 70 years old and provide capacity, across St James’s Park Lake.
Between the statue to the late monarch and the replacement bridge across the lake will be new landscaped gardens, coined the North Garden are set to be dedicated to the four nations of the United Kingdom
King Charles has been kept informed of the plans and consulted on the developments, with the final designs made public to the public to coincide with the late Queen’s birth. The sculptor of the statue on the Mall has explained that it would show the horse-loving monarch standing rather than riding.
Other distinct parts to the Queen Elizabeth II national memorial landscape masterplan, include a; companion statue of Prince Philip, a Commonwealth sculpture by Yinka Shonibare, a Commonwealth storytelling element, and memorial path through landscaping comprising UK and Commonwealth Gardens designed
by Michel Desvigne.
Key considerations of the scheme included; the impact on the significance of heritage assets, including the registered St. James’s Park and listed structures within it, Grade II listed lampposts, a Grade II listed drinking fountain ‘The Boy’, the Grade II listed Marlborough Gate, and ‘The Blue Bridge’ a non-designated heritage which
makes a positive contribution to the park and surrounding Royal Parks Conservation Area.
The impact of the new paths and landscaping on trees and biodiversity. 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. The proposals would also result in the removal and damage to valuable trees.
However on balance it was recommended for approval in the planning officers report to voting committee members, with the recommendation being to approve the harm of the scheme is 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.
