Primrose Hill will finally have permanent gates installed soon, the organisation that runs it says.

"Unsightly" temporary  fencing has been used to block the entrances to the park since closures began under lockdown, but The Royal Parks has confirmed in an update that permanent black metal fencing will soon replace it.

Plans were submitted to Camden Council last autumn for nine permanent gates - although this was not technically necessary - and moves are now being made to start their installation.

Darren Share, the director of parks at The Royal Parks, said in the update: “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“As there is no legal requirement to submit any formal planning application, the current application has been withdrawn.”

Ham & High: Fencing at a Primrose Hill entrance left damaged in May 2023Fencing at a Primrose Hill entrance left damaged in May 2023 (Image: Jenny McCririck)

Mr Share added: “As we do not need planning permission now, we will proceed and install the permanent gates.”

The gates will be used to continue restrictions enforced over the past few years, restricting access to the public between 10pm and 6am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the British Summer Time period.

While temporary gates have been used to keep people out, there were complaints that they were regularly being pulled down and revellers still accessed the site during nights over the weekend. 

Ham & High: The view from Primrose HillThe view from Primrose Hill (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

Mr Share also said that these gates detract from the Grade II-listed landscape and are “prone to damage”.

Data published last May from a public engagement survey showed locals and visitors were equally divided on whether the park should be locked.

Following the engagement, Royal Parks said it took a “balanced and proportionate decision” to enforce weekend closures only during the BST period.

It said it works closely with the Metropolitan Police Service, which is responsible for any response to crime or antisocial behaviour.