Update: Installation of permanent gates on Primrose Hill

Darren Share, Director of Parks at The Royal Parks, said: “We have undertaken extensive engagement to gather the views of local residents and park visitors to Primrose Hill on a wide range of issues, including noise disturbances.

“Due to the high public interest in Primrose Hill, we had submitted a full planning application to install permanent gates on Primrose Hill to Camden Council. The Council has reviewed this submission and informed us that we may proceed with the installation under Permitted Development. As there is no legal requirement to submit any formal planning application, the current application has been withdrawn.

“We had considered all the available data in advance of submitting the planning application, and believe the right decision is to install permanent gates on Primrose Hill as this will support park closures where necessary. As we do not need planning permission now, we will proceed and install the permanent gates.

“This does not mean that the park will be closed more often. We are maintaining the current 24-hour weekday opening arrangements and continuing with weekend summer closures, as we have done for the past three years. The park will continue to be closed from 10pm until 6am the following morning on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until the clocks go back in October. “We also close the park on ad-hoc days for operational need and for health and safety reasons due to extreme weather conditions.”

“Instead of unsightly Heras fencing which detracts from the Grade II-listed landscape and is prone to damage, we will install gates which will be in keeping with the landscape and with other similar gates we have across our parks.”