A planning application has been lodged for the revamp of Cutty Sark Gardens.
The proposals will make Cutty Sark Gardens an “attractive place to stay and a place to linger”, say Dutch designers, OKRA.
The designs include 6,540 sq m of new stone covering, less steps to a make it more pedestrian friendly, an interactive “wet floor” feature, clear cyclist route and green planters.
The interactive water element will be designed to mirror the tidal movements of the Thames – water flowing over the element when the tide is high and draining off when it is low.
A pre-application consultation on the plans was undertaken at the town centre pedestrianisation exhibition back in June of this year.
OKRA, who are partners on Croydon’s Wellesley Road and Parklane redevelopment project, describe as Cutty Sark Gardens as a “pioneering place with international allure” but go on to say, perhaps contradictorily, that “awareness that one of London’s most highest profile public squares is lacking in allure is becoming widespread”.
The “gardens” are part of the Mayor of London’s Great Spaces Initiative, and the council secured funding for the scheme as one of the key legacy projects for Greenwich resulting from being a Host Borough for London 2012.
Restoration work on the Cutty Sark itself – the centre piece of Cutty Sark Gardens – is due to complete sometime in 2011.
the area around the Cutty sark could not look more God-foresaken and unwelcoming to tourists than it currently does.
Can anyone remember how many million it cost to create that wasteland, just in time for the millennium?
Couldn’t find any mention of money but here’s a little snippet about the refurbishment of Cutty Sark Gardens at the Millenium. Couldn’t they reuse the (only) 10 year old paving in the spirit of both economy and recycling?
Article:
Cutty Sark Gardens is a focus for visitors and tourist activity in Greenwich. A new ‘look’ was officially opened on May 28th 1999 which improves this important area. It has been a major project within the Greenwich SRB programme and will benefit local businesses with increased numbers of tourists and the local community with an improved public space. The area will hopefully become more inviting and safer with a smoother and more attractive surface.
Work began near the Greenwich Foot Tunnel and progressed eastwards around the Cutty Sark towards the Royal Naval College and Monument Gardens.
Planning permission was originally granted in January 1998. Works have included the demolition of the ‘Band Stand’ podium, re-levelling where appropriate and repaving the entire area of the Cutty Sark Gardens. The scheme includes the use of York stone, grey/black granite setts, light grey ‘Charnwood’ slabs, and red/brown ‘Tegular’ setts set out to complement each other, creating a more attractive meeting place.
Additional work has taken place on the Riverside Walk in front of the Royal Naval College. Here, again, York stone is being used to improve the quality of the pathway.
Further plans have been given the go-ahead to redevelop Greenwich Promenade, the landward area adjacent to Greenwich Pier. This will include a new ticketing area and covered piazza as well as a restaurant and public house. the two-storey construction will all be housed beneath a figure-8 shaped roof with the central part covering the piazza. However, owing to delays in obtaining permissions from various agencies for the work to begin, this has now been postponed until Autumn 2000 at the earliest.
Additionally, a new boardwalk will be constructed to the west of the Gypsy Moth dry dock to link through to the planned Greenwich East Liner Terminal.
I’ve always assumed this space was created in the 80s. It’s a real blank spot in the centre of Greenwich. Shame, this site would have been the perfect new home for the old Village Market- it would’ve given the place some identity.
The Cutty Sark ‘gardens’ are a disgrace and redevelopment is much needed. However, redevelopment after just 11 years does highlight the need for much better and more imaginative planning in the town. And, to be honest, a water feature and a few green planters doesn’t sound like the most exciting proposal for what should be a terrific open space in the middle of a World Heritage Site