Kew Garden plans at the root of complaints

8:47am Saturday 11th June 2005

A PROPOSED extension to the reference facility at Kew Gardens has been criticised for its size and position.

The Kew Society have lodged an official objection to plans by the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) to extend their herbarium.

The gardens themselves attract Crown exemption meaning they are not required to submit planning applications to the local authority, however the RBG choose to consult with the council and other interested parties.

Proposals are for a new herbarium and library wing to the eastern side of the current building built to the same height, 20 metres, approximately one metre from the east and north runs of Ferry Lane.

However Dennis Woodman, chairman of the Kew Society, has raised serious concerns about the proposals and procedures that followed.

"We think it is wholly inappropriate for the position it has been put in," he said.

"Where it is being put it is overwhelming. There is no sense of planning within the context of the buildings.

"They (RBG) should have been asking the council what they thought from the beginning. I don't think that happened. They employ a consultant who looks at any planning application on world heritage sites, he should have had this in front of him.

"RBG should have employed their own landscape architect who could have advised them of the problem."

Mr Woodman believes nearby residents and walkers along the towpath would find the development intrusive.

A spokesperson for Kew Gardens explained that every 40 to 50 years the herbarium - where historic and important collections of preserved plant specimens and the gardens' library and archives are housed - needs expanding.

"The proposed new building will provide desperately-needed climate-controlled storage to ensure proper conditions for this unique collection and a new entrance," she said.

By choosing the proposed site the spokesperson claimed they were using land that gives access at the right level and is economical.

"Although not required to do so, we have consulted with our neighbours and although the proposed new building is the same four storeys high as the existing herbarium, and neighbours will only have an oblique view from their houses, we have slightly reduced the height since speaking with them," she added.

From the towpath it is said that only the top of the building will be visible.

"We always consult with the local council as we develop our plans and in addition we have been working with a landscape architect who specialises in World Heritage Sites," she concluded.

Richmond upon Thames Council are currently gathering the views of residents and officers are discussing the site and bulk of the plans with the RBG.