Tate Britain wants to build new Mediterranean and East Asian-inspired green spaces and a “garden classroom” for kids under plans to transform the gallery’s riverside entance.
The proposal, currently before Westminster City Council, promises to transform the gallery’s Millbank frontage by replacing the existing open spaces with a large and more biodiverse public garden. There are plans to install a ‘Mediterranean inspired’ garden to the south as well as a new natural pond.
The north section will consist of a green space which “takes cues from East Asian woodland planting”, and includes a water feature, flexible event space and an expanded area for external café seating, according to the planning application.
Architects Feilden Fowles, working for the gallery, said the designs were a “comprehensive redesign” which focused on “softening” the gallery’s external appearance.
The proposal also includes the construction of a new ‘Garden Classroom’ where kids can receive creative, hands-on learning. The timber-framed pavilion, clad in stone and with a lantern roof, which would be placed between the Tate Lodge and Clore Gallery, would act as a new learning space for schools, community groups and volunteers.
Under the plans, the Grade II listed curved railings along the Millbank entrance will be removed and the existing railings and gate will be moved forward to “unify” both sides of the proposed gardens. The lay-by in front would be replaced with a smaller one and the taxi rank moved to Atterbury Street.
There are also plans to remove existing hedges and other hard surfaces to make way for new paths, seating, artworks and lighting. Works by artists Nathan Coley, Angus Fairhurst, Tony Cragg, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth are set to appear in the garden.
The proposal includes planting 60 new trees of varying species and sizes and retaining mature trees already on site. While most trees will be small, there will be some larger species like Magnolias and a Pagoda tree.
The development will be phased in two sections with the landscaping and Garden Classroom to come forward under Phase 1. The rest of the development, which relates to highway works, will take place under Phase 2. The works are expected to finish in 2026.
Westminster City Council, Historic England and Transport for London are among a number of bodies backing the plans.
An objection was raised by the Victorian Society on the grounds the changes will cause “unacceptable harm” to the setting of the building. Historic Buildings and Places also weighed in saying the planting of a walnut tree to the front would harm “the setting of the gallery building”.
Despite their objections, they both showed broad support for the plans. Council officers said the proposals would deliver significant public benefits without causing undue harm to the site.
They wrote: “The principle of enhancing the gardens and supporting Tate Britain’s cultural role is strongly supported in land use terms.”
Westminster City’s Licensing Committee will meet Tuesday, September 30, to review the application.
The Tate Britain is the oldest of the four Tate galleries and is one of London’s most significant art museums with a history dating back to the mid-19th century. Originally opened in 1897 as the National Gallery of Art, it was established to house the growing collection of British art bequeathed by Sir Henry Tate, a sugar magnate and philanthropist.
Today, Tate Britain welcomes about 1million visitors per year, including over 200,000 school children, according to the application.
