A NATIONAL memorial to Queen Elizabeth II has been given the green light despite wealthy locals fighting against it.
Residents were left fuming as they feared the memorial would bring vandalism and “illegal cycling”.
Artist’s impression of the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial in St James’s Park, London.
The glass Unity Bridge inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s wedding day tiaraCredit: PA
Illustration of Queen Elizabeth II’s memorial in St James’s Park.4
An early artist’s impression of the memorial shows the late Queen on horsebackCredit: PA
Queen Elizabeth II memorial4
Plans for Queen Elizabeth II memorial have been given the green light despite objections for local residents’ groupsCredit: PA
Proposals which included a new bridge in St James’s Park, central London, and a statue of the late monarch along with Prince Philip, were lodged with Westminster City Council earlier this year.
But two local residents’ groups representing wealthy homeowners in posh Mayfair and St James’s raised objections, saying they would spoil the character of the Grade I listed park as well as impact on crime.
Cathy Jones, vice chair of the Queen Anne’s Gate Residents Association, told the meeting that the memorial would make the place undesirable for locals.
She said it would attract “anti-social behaviour” and increase concerns about safety in the park.
According to Jones, the plans also “raise questions about maintenance, vandalism and illegal cycling” and the scheme “involves ground disturbance and tree loss”.
Jones told the meeting: “Our members, many of whom have lived here for many decades, use St James’s Park daily.
“We know the park well and care deeply about its protection.
Ms Jones pointed out that what is now an “informal everyday green space will become a greater focus for tourism and crowd management”, reducing “unprogrammed space and tranquillity for regular use.
“We fully support the principle of a national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, but what we can’t support is the detrimental impact on St James’s Park in this proposal, in this location and at this scale.”
Meanwhile, the Residents Society of Mayfair and St James’s said in a written objection that changes would “fundamentally alter the park’s character, which is defined by its naturalistic, picturesque design”.
“We believe the proposed development would cause substantial harm to the heritage, ecology, character, and public value of St James’s Park.”
Conservative Regent’s Park Councillor Robert Rigby said: “What we decide tonight will really have ramifications not really within our borough but across the country.
“There’s quite a lot of weight being put on our shoulders.
“What we’ve got in front of us is something to be commended.”
Labour Councillor Iman Less, who represents Maida Vale, said it was a “magnificent proposal.”
She added that she was “born and raised in the borough” and “spent many a childhood in this park”, adding: “To see the scale of these proposals is really quite humbling.”
Speaking at the meeting, representatives for DP9 planning consultants, representing the Cabinet Office who are leading on the project, said the memorial will provide a place to “reflect and remember the late queen”.
They added that the memorial “will become a key landmark for events which will take place on the Mall”.
Officers on the Labour-run authority wrote in a report ahead of the council’s planning sub-committee meeting on Tuesday, that any “harm is fully outweighed by the substantial public benefits of the scheme” of creating a “national memorial of great importance.”
A statue of the late Queen will be erected in a new civic space to be called Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace.
It will be created by Martin Jennings, the sculptor whose previous credits include a bust of the Queen Mother in St Paul’s Cathedral, as well as the first crowned coinage portrait of the King.
Mr Jennings’s sculpture will stand at one end of a glass bridge being designed by Foster and Partners, the firm who won a 2025 competition to create the nation’s lasting tribute to the late Queen, whose reign spanned seven decades.
Several planning matters, including for trees and biodiversity, will have to be fulfilled before construction work commences at a later date.
A Government spokesperson said: “The Queen Elizabeth Memorial will be a beautiful space for people to come together to reflect on and celebrate our longest-reigning Monarch. We are pleased that the plans have been approved.”
