As many residents will be aware, the UK Government have plans to install a national Holocaust memorial and learning centre in Victoria Tower Gardens adjacent to the Palace of Westminster. The plans can be seen online here and there was also a public exhibition in September.
As your ward Councillors, we have listened to the overwhelming feedback from residents; that they support the idea of a Holocaust memorial, but that Victoria Tower Gardens is the wrong location. As your ward Councillors we will represent this view and help wherever we can in the planning process. Should you have views on this subject and wish to write to us, please email us at [email protected].
In terms of next steps, a public exhibition of revised proposals will take place in Church House, Great Smith Street SW1 from 5th to 8th December (12-7pm Wednesday to Friday. 10-4pm Saturday. We expect a planning application to be submitted shortly afterwards (maybe before Christmas). Once this takes place, there will be a public consultation where people’s views and representations can be made.
Cllr Louise Hyams says, “I of course applaud the national government for looking to build a memorial and learning centre to remind us of the truly awful events of this period in history. I am however against Victoria Tower Gardens as being the suggested location due to the impact it will have on the park and surrounding areas. I am keen to see other locations considered such as the Imperial War Museum.”
