Much-loved Pavilion gardens could face night-time closures

Concerns were raised over the 19th-century gardens being affected by antisocial behaviour such as graffiti, litter and damage to historic structures.

Historic England said it would work with Brighton and Hove City Council to develop a strategy to ‘redress the balance’ and keep the gardens in good condition.

Councillor Alan Robins, chairman of the council’s tourism, development and culture committee, said: “The Royal Pavilion Garden is well loved by residents and visitors and it is our responsibility to care for them and hand them on to future generations.

“The grounds have traditionally provided a relaxing space in the centre of our city. We remain committed to providing public access to the garden, but the message from Historic England is that we must act now to prevent any further deterioration and protect one of our most precious assets.

“With the Royal Pavilion Estate project we’ve got a fantastic opportunity to join up work on the garden with improvements to the wider estate. We’ll be looking at funding opportunities through partnership with other public sector bodies and the private sector and working with individuals whose generosity is essential to the upkeep of the estate.”

The council said it would consider fencing off the whole garden, which would enable overnight closure, and would consult residents and stakeholders on the proposal in the coming months.

Council officers are also considering how best to address incidents of night time antisocial behaviour.

As part of the Royal Pavilion Estate scheme the council said it is looking at how best to distinguish the estate site from the surrounding buildings and give an improved sense of ‘arrival’ for visitors. Almost five million people visit the gardens every year.

The council has just appointed Sussex-based landscape specialists Chris Blandford Associates to prepare a Conservation Plan and 10 year Management Plan for the garden.

Director Andrew Croft said: “Everyone in Brighton and Hove knows the garden and the Royal Pavilion is an internationally recognised landmark. It’s a remarkable place, a blend of pioneering historic landscape design and modern city centre green space.

“The challenges facing the garden are clear and we are looking forward to working with the council, Historic England and other stakeholders to help develop a viable and sensitive way forward for this special and highly valued landscape in the heart of the city.”

Historic England said: “The Royal Pavilion Gardens in Brighton surround the iconic Royal Pavilion and were designed by the English architect John Nash. They are a picturesque layout of serpentine walks, drives, open lawns, shrubs and trees.

“Since the late 1980s, when the Gardens were subject to landscape restoration, their increased popularity with visitors is affecting their overall condition as well as the effects of antisocial behaviour such as graffiti, litter and damage to historic structures.

“The special character of the Gardens is also being eroded by a disparate range of fencing, litter bins, signage and lighting and these combine to weaken the sense of the Gardens’ rich history for visitors.

“Historic England will be working with Brighton and Hove City Council to develop a Conservation Management Plan which will identify how to redress the balance and develop a strategy for keeping the historic Gardens in good condition for visitors to enjoy for many years to come.”