Save VICTORIA TOWER GARDENS
Prevent building in this precious London park
1. Atmosphere
The presence of a sombre monument and Learning Centre will inhibit the enjoyment of the park for recreational use. The other statues in the park commemorate positive change - the end of slavery, women’s right to vote and freedom from oppression.
2. Health
Sadiq Khan has declared there should be no loss of green open space from London parks. The Learning Centre will take up much of one end of the park with its paved courtyard.
The presence of a sombre monument and Learning Centre will inhibit the enjoyment of the park for recreational use. The other statues in the park commemorate positive change - the end of slavery, women’s right to vote and freedom from oppression.
2. Health
Sadiq Khan has declared there should be no loss of green open space from London parks. The Learning Centre will take up much of one end of the park with its paved courtyard.
3. Children
The recently improved children’s playground would be right next to the proposed Memorial and Learning Centre - will this be safe, appropriate or even the end of the playground?
4. Pollution
With an estimated million visitors a year there will be increased pedestrian and motorised traffic, and pressure on coach parking adding significantly to the pollution and congestion of the area.
5. Security
There have already been deadly attacks outside Parliament.
With an estimated million visitors a year there will be increased pedestrian and motorised traffic, and pressure on coach parking adding significantly to the pollution and congestion of the area.
5. Security
There have already been deadly attacks outside Parliament.
Building a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre so close by will create another politically sensitive target. The security needed would undoubtedly restrict public access to the park.
6. Money
The Government has pledged £75 million of public money to create this Memorial and Learning Centre. We think this money should be spent on Holocaust Education nationally.
7. World Heritage Site
The gardens and stunning mature trees border the UNESCO Westminster World Heritage Site and should be protected from any development. The trees fronting the river are especially at risk due to their root formation being damaged by the new foundations.
PLUS
Just over half a mile away the Imperial War Museum's impressive Holocaust galleries have been expanded so as to explain better the Holocaust's relationship to World War II.
Having two Holocaust centres so close together would inevitably entail considerable overlap. There is already a simple and poignant Holocaust Memorial in Hyde Park, less than 2 miles away.
About The Campaign
About The Campaign
Parks should not be regarded as vacant land that can be used for building projects. They are key components of a city's green infrastructure. The 2017 London Draft Environment Strategy calls for London's green cover to be raised from 47% to 50%. There is no mention of being able to build on historic parkland.
Victoria Tower Gardens is a much loved recreation park used by individulas, groups of adults and school children.
We are campaigning against the construction of a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in the Gardens for these reasons:
Victoria Tower Gardens is a much loved recreation park used by individulas, groups of adults and school children.
We are campaigning against the construction of a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in the Gardens for these reasons:
Victoria Tower Gardens is a much loved, cheerful public garden. The competition brief called for the design to be ‘outstanding, ambitious, sombre.' The above image is an artists visual of what the winning design will look like when completed. Railings, signs, ramps will all have to be added.
