Primrose Hill permanent gates work to last 'several months'

It was announced last week that moves are being made to start the installation of nine gates to replace the “unsightly” temporary fencing which has been used to block the entrances to the park since closures began under lockdown.

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.

The Royal Parks has now confirmed that the work – which will proceed soon – will last for several months.

A spokesperson said: “This is a long-term process which will take several months. Please check our website and The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill Facebook page for updates.”

Temporary fencing at Primrose Hill, which people have been bypassing, will be replaced with permanent gates (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

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

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“As there is no legal requirement to submit any formal planning application, the current application has been withdrawn.”

The view from Primrose Hill (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

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

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