Palace of Westminster Education Centre, Victoria Tower Gardens, City of Westminster
Detailed landscape proposals and arboricultural consultancy for a successful planning submission and implementation of a temporary education centre to increase the number of school children visiting the Houses of Parliament. The building in Victoria Tower Gardens (Register of Historic Parks and Gardens) is within a Conservation Area and immediately adjacent the Westminster World Heritage site.
The new landscape needed to be sensitive to the historic, political, cultural and architectural significance of the site and includes an intensive green roof, high-quality materials and the protection of mature trees important to the setting of the national landmark buildings, and an oak planted to celebrate the Silver Jubilee. A root survey was carried out using an air spade, and discussions held with Westminster City Council and Royal Parks regarding mitigation proposals and design development.
