Revamp decision due on historic city centre garden

A decision on plans to remodel the Royal Pavilion Garden is expected later

A decision is expected on plans to redesign and restore a listed garden in the heart of Brighton.

Councillors will meet later to discuss the proposals to remodel the Royal Pavilion Garden.

The plans include improved footpaths, a new education space, refurbished toilets and railings and a new planting plan.

The council’s planning committee has been advised to grant planning permission and listed building consent for the work to the Grade II listed gardens.

Historic England placed the garden on its Heritage At Risk Register in 2017 and since then a programme to protect and maintain it has been in development.

The Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust secured £4.4m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a revamp in January.

The application was due to go before the committee in May, but was withdrawn shortly before when council leader Bella Sankey asked for clearer designs showing how 24-hour access could be maintained, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Royal Pavilion Garden is Grade II listed and was designed for King George IV in the 1820s

The proposals include remodelling the existing toilet block into an accessible toilet and separate gender-neutral cubicles.

A new building would include a kiosk, toilets and baby changing facilities.

An outdoor learning area is also proposed next to the Brighton Dome building.

Modern trees and hedges would be removed under the plans which are intended to restore the original views created by the Royal Pavilion’s architect, John Nash.

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