Reassurance Offered Over Bedford Park Memorial Garden
Project not abandoned despite withdrawal of planning application
A visualisation of the new entrance and memorial garden from planning documents
July 28, 2026
The proposal to create a new memorial garden at St Michael & All Angels Church has not been abandoned, despite the recent withdrawal of the planning application. The designer has confirmed that the plans will be resubmitted shortly, with no changes expected to the design.
Jane Ashley, who prepared the landscape designs, said the withdrawal was purely procedural. “The application was withdrawn for technical administrative reasons. The plans received a lot of public support from the community and we will be resubmitting the same plans shortly. We fully expect therefore that this scheme will go ahead.”
The original application, submitted under reference P/2026/0796, had been recommended for approval by Hounslow Council planners and attracted strong backing from local residents. Twenty-eight comments supported the scheme, with only one objection.
The proposals would turn an underused lawn beside the Bath Road entrance into a peaceful memorial garden centred on an octagonal seating area and engraved stone. Planting designed for year-round interest would surround the space, with permeable gravel paths laid on a geo-cellular base to protect nearby tree roots. A separate wildlife area would introduce pollinator-friendly species, log piles and bug houses, while the church’s mature yew tree—described as overly dominant—would be replaced with a more suitable native species.
The plans also include widening the main entrance path to improve accessibility for wheelchair users, people with mobility aids and families with buggies.
Supporters said the scheme would enhance the approach to Bedford Park, complement the nearby W. B. Yeats sculpture and improve the setting of the Grade II* listed church. Historic England described the design as subtle and sensitive, raising no heritage concerns.
The entrance area on Bath Road as it is now
The single objection focused on fears of antisocial behaviour around the seating and concerns about fencing and planting near the church walls. The applicant responded that bench spacing exceeds five metres, similar seating elsewhere has caused no issues, and fencing has been kept minimal to avoid visual clutter.
Planning officers concluded that the scheme would not harm the listed building or conservation area and that the low-height fencing proposed was appropriate.
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