Breathtaking transformation planned for Warrior Square Gardens

Warrior Square Gardens, one of the few green spaces within central Southend, is set for a massive transformation as part of a £1.8 million landscaping project designed to turn the area into a stunning and welcoming outdoor amenity the whole community can enjoy.

For the first time in decades, the entire area of just over an acre is set to realise its full potential, with new look Gardens capable of staging major public events, set around an imaginative play landscape for the young, breath taking visual walks and gardens and an area for simply relaxing in a park atmosphere over a cup of coffee.

Regeneration company Renaissance Southend, who are acting as project managers, have been working closely with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to take the scheme forward and following extensive consultation last year, work is now expected to start in 2010.

Landscape architect Gillespies has developed a series of highly imaginative designs based around the original Victorian concept to make the best use of this valuable community asset in the heart of the town centre. The landscape design scheme presents an appraisal and celebration of the grand scale and original design intent of these historic Gardens. Where possible the mature trees, so long a feature of Warrior Square Gardens, have been retained and turned into a 'Lime Walk' with a raised walkway to reflect the Victoria concept of promenading. Linear custom-made seating will run along the extent of the 'Lime Walk'. A play area has been landscaped to be undulating and will feature climbing poles, a bridge design and new seating.

To reflect a more modern slant, innovative and artistic use of lighting also means that the Gardens can be used for all types of outdoor events, even those that require big screens or stages to ensure that Southend can fulfill its commitment to culture and the arts.

Jon Akers Coyle for Gillespies commented: “As designers, this revitalised Gardens scheme was all about creating an overall Garden experience – an inclusive and vibrant space that captures Victorian exuberance married with a contemporary twist. We see this as a grand unveiling, an unfurling of Nature within the town. We hope the scheme will be an invitation to Southend society to come and explore, play, promenade and appreciate this vital green space. A place to see and be seen.”

A major architectural feature is a central kiosk or café which has an innovative design similar to a giant petal, allowing it to open up like a flower when trading, to reflect the garden background.

The Council recently gave the go ahead for the kiosk plans to be submitted for planning permission on 9th April, and they will now seek a contractor for the delivery phase of the scheme, with work on site beginning by early 2010 at the latest. Once started, work should take around six months to complete.

“Safeguarding one of the few open green spaces within central Southend has always been a priority,” said Councillor Derek Jarvis, Portfolio Holder for Culture at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council “but in this case we have been able to go that extra mile, working with our partners to produce a major town centre amenity for the benefit of the entire community.”

Once finished Warrior Square Gardens will have something for residents and visitors of all ages.

David Pilkington, Director of Development, for Renaissance Southend, commented: “We’re very pleased with the design. The Gardens are a major amenity for all of us and we are now close to fully realising their benefit as one of the few green spaces within Central Southend. It is vital that the area is safeguarded for future generations and this is what the current proposals will achieve.”