Tate Britain plans outdoor gardens and classroom

Tate Britain plans to build new Mediterranean and East Asian-inspired green spaces and a “garden classroom” for children.

The proposal, which is awaiting permission from Westminster City Council, would transform the gallery’s Millbank entrance by replacing the existing open spaces with a large and biodiverse public garden.

Architects Feilden Fowles, working for the gallery, said the designs were a “comprehensive redesign” which focused on “softening” the gallery’s external appearance.

Westminster City Council, Historic England and Transport for London are among a number of bodies backing the plans.

The museum plans to install a Mediterranean-inspired garden to the south as well as a new natural pond, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The north section will consist of a green space which “takes cues from East Asian woodland planting”, and includes a water feature, event space and an expanded area for external café seating, according to the planning application.

The proposal also includes a “garden classroom” in a timber-framed pavilion, clad in stone, for hands-on learning.

It would be placed between the Tate Lodge and Clore Gallery, would act as a new learning space for schools, community groups and volunteers.

Under the plans, the Grade II listed curved railings along the Millbank entrance would be removed, while the existing railings and gate will be moved forward to “unify” both sides of the proposed gardens.

The lay-by in front would be replaced with a smaller one and the taxi rank moved to Atterbury Street.

Although broadly supporting the plans, an objection was raised by the Victorian Society on the grounds the changes will cause “unacceptable harm” to the setting of the building.

Historic Buildings and Places also said the planting of a walnut tree in the front would harm “the setting of the gallery building”.

Council officers said the proposals would deliver significant public benefits without causing undue harm to the site.

The Tate Britain is the oldest of the four Tate galleries and welcomes about 1m visitors per year, including more than 200,000 school children, according to the application.

Westminster City’s Licensing Committee will meet on 30 September to review the application.