Published: Friday 20 January 2023
Plans for a new pavilion including public toilets and a food and drink kiosk, together with improvements to changing rooms and landscaping in Kensington Memorial Park, were given the go-ahead last week by Kensington and Chelsea Planning Committee.
The Council is investing £1,062,425 on improvements to the park, which includes £204,000 from the Council’s Green Fund which will be used to improve energy efficiency.
Energy will be provided by an air source heat pump, solar panels and a green roof to attract bees. Solar glass will be designed into the new building to make the best use of the sun as an energy source. Works are expected to begin this summer and should be completed by next summer.
Cllr Emma Will, Lead Member for Leisure said: “We are all rightly proud of our parks and it’s important that we maintain and improve them. This work is one of the first projects to use money from our Green Fund, which contributes to our aim of a green economic recovery and helping with our net zero aims.
“The co-design work with residents on the improvements to the park have been a great example of community engagement and I am sure residents and visitors will be delighted with the improvements when completed.”
As part of the Council’s commitment to commission work with local people where possible, a local architect has been employed to work on the design. Simone de Gale has been involved on a number of parks projects locally with the Council and added:
“We applied our design principles to this project, by creating an elegant pattern through a symmetrical masterplan centred on the community hub area. We have opened this area for more engagement activity and different user type. I am heartened by the support of the community throughout our decision-making process”.
The Council’s Green Fund has committed £10m over 10 years, to enable projects to encourage environmental innovation, which is part of the Council’s wider Green Plan which is focusing on five environmental priorities:
Achieving carbon neutrality and tackling climate change
- Improving air quality
- Tackling fuel poverty
- Minimising waste
- Protecting and enhancing biodiversity