HTA Design appointed by The Royal Parks to design new garden in The Regent’s Park, in honour of Queen Elizabeth II

HTA Design has been appointed by The Royal Parks to develop proposals for a new garden in The Regent’s Park to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

The new garden will transform a former plant nursery, previously inaccessible to the public, into a two-acre tranquil garden that will deliver significant benefits to nature. It is due to open in 2026, to coincide with what would have been the late Queen’s 100th birthday.

The design team includes Tate + Co Architects for the architectural features and planting design by Horticulturalist Dr Noel Kingsbury, BREEAM Infrastructure by HTA’s Sustainable Futures team, and SLR Consulting for Ecology.

The proposed new garden will incorporate a series of structures that includes a pergola and the transformation of a disused water tower into an accessible viewing platform that will provide elevated views. The new garden will include plant species that were significant to Queen Elizabeth II’s life.

The new public space will deliver a huge boost to biodiversity in the form of a new pond and ephemeral wetlands, trees, hedgerows and meadows, all featuring wildlife-attracting plants. Integral to the garden design is the selection of plants and trees that can adapt to the UK’s changing climate.

Sustainability underpins the approach to the design, and The Royal Parks charity will aim to re-use a substantial amount of demolition material in the new garden, such as crushed concrete, brick and steelwork. Soil science consultancy Tim O’Hare Associates is working with the team to create growing mediums from site demolition materials. HTA Design’s Sustainable Futures team is providing comprehensive sustainability consultancy covering BREEAM Infrastructure Assessment, Whole Life-Cycle Carbon assessment and setting Circular Economy principles for the new garden.

Andrew Scattergood, CEO of The Royal Parks, said:

“This garden is a unique opportunity to transform grey to green and return two acres of beautiful green space to central London.

The garden’s design will deliver horticultural excellence, along with significant benefits to nature. It will be a tranquil and reflective garden, the antithesis to the hustle and bustle of the city, and we hope that people will come and spend some quiet time there, enjoying the natural landscape and the wonderful year-round colour that the garden will provide.”

Oliver Rock, Landscape Design Director, HTA Design said:

“We are honoured to be working with The Royal Parks on the design of this beautiful new garden at the heart of The Regent’s Park to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, and to be transforming a brownfield site into this special, biodiverse, wildlife attracting and climate resilient new public garden.”

Local residents and visitors are encouraged to view the proposals on The Royal Parks’ website and provide feedback. Deadline is 28 January 2024.