Westminster City Council has overruled objections from affluent Mayfair and St James’s residents to approve plans for a national Queen Elizabeth II memorial in St James’s Park, dismissing concerns about crime, antisocial behaviour and heritage damage raised by millionaire homeowners.
The Labour-run authority ruled on Tuesday evening that potential negative impacts would be “fully outweighed by the substantial public benefits” of the tribute, which encompasses an equestrian statue, bridge, golden sculpture and Prince Philip memorial.
Two residents’ associations—Queen Anne’s Gate Residents’ Association and The Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s—had mounted unsuccessful campaigns against the proposals, arguing the installations would fundamentally compromise the park’s naturalistic character whilst creating security risks.
Cathy Jones, vice-chairman of Queen Anne’s Gate Residents’ Association, stated: “We fully support the principle of a national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, but what we can’t support is the detrimental impact on St James’s Park in this proposal, in this location and at this scale.”
The association’s membership includes residents of 18th-century properties described as “the best of their kind in London,” with past occupants including musician Sting and MI6 founder Sir Mansfield Smith-Cumming.
Objectors warned reconfigured paths and altered planting would “reduce natural surveillance, particularly at night, increasing concerns about safety and antisocial behaviour” whilst creating concealed areas potentially exploited by muggers or attracting rough sleepers.
The Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s argued the memorial “introduces substantial new built elements—large figurative sculptures, a large re-engineered bridge and reconfigured paths that would fundamentally alter the park’s character, which is defined by its naturalistic, picturesque design.”
Ms Jones additionally raised concerns about ground disturbance, tree loss and illegal cycling, concluding: “While commemoration is, of course, fitting, this application does not show that such extensive and permanent harm to St James’s Park is necessary or proportionate.”
A government spokesman welcomed the approval: “The Queen Elizabeth Memorial will be a beautiful space for people to come together to reflect on and celebrate our longest-reigning monarch. We are pleased that the plans have been approved.”
Sculptor Martin Jennings—whose portfolio includes a Queen Mother bust in St Paul’s Cathedral and King Charles’s first crowned coinage portrait—has been commissioned for the work, with architectural firm Fosters and Partners winning last year’s design competition.
The memorial represents one of multiple new national monuments planned for the historic park.
