New 'Carbon Garden' Part of Revamp at Kew
Plans submitted include extension to The Orangery terrace
Proposed Carbon Garden, Kew Gardens. Picture: Mizzi Studio/Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
January 8, 2024
Kew Gardens has revealed plans to extend its orangery and create a ‘beautiful’ new garden explaining the role of carbon in nature and climate change. Separate planning applications have been submitted to Richmond Council to carry out the changes.
Kew’s proposals include extending the terrace of The Orangery, which is used as a restaurant and events venue. A section of the lawn that gets most worn, next to the existing paved seating terrace, would be converted into a gravelled area with seating and small, evergreen trees in planters. The works also require listed building consent to go ahead.
A report submitted with the application said land and buildings at Kew Gardens have “survived in repeated cycles of reactive minimal maintenance for many years” due to limited funding and they have deteriorated – including The Orangery, which is Grade I listed. It said the works would “protect and conserve the building and landscape for future generations and improve the visitor and guest experience”.
Another application proposes the creation of a new carbon garden on the site of the existing Secluded Garden at Kew Gardens. The Carbon Garden would explain the role of carbon in nature, along with what can be done to reduce carbon emissions and improve its capture and storage.
The Carbon Garden would explain the role of carbon in nature. Picture: Mizzi Studio/Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
A report submitted with the application said the garden would include “beautiful planting” to show biodiversity in the wild, a range of climate-resilient trees and features explaining the importance of soil in carbon capture and storage and how fossil fuels are formed. A total of 26 new trees would be planted.
There would be a circular route through the four main zones of the garden, which would be based on the themes of the carbon cycle, carbon and climate change, living with climate change and nature-based solutions. Plants in each zone would reflect the different themes, including a dry garden with drought-tolerant plants and trees, a wildflower meadow of native species and a flower meadow. A pavilion would be built in the centre of the garden using sustainable materials to attract visitors.
The Orangery, Kew Gardens. Picture: Acanthus Clews Architects/Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
The report said: “The Secluded Garden was created over 30 years ago and many of its features are now dilapidated and, in some cases, unsafe. The Carbon Garden will utilise this space much more effectively and introduce a beautiful, inspiring and insightful new garden for visitors to enjoy, and learn from.”
Richmond Council will make a decision on the applications in due course.
Charlotte Lillywhite - Local Democracy Reporter