Highgate Cemetery drops building plans amid community concerns
The proposed building formed part of a broader masterplan developed by the trust’s in-house team and consultants to address structural degradation
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The Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust has withdrawn plans for a new Gardeners’ Building following opposition from grave owners near the proposed site.
The structure was to be built in the eastern section of the cemetery, near the Mound, as part of the trust’s Unlocking Highgate Cemetery conservation masterplan. The building has now been removed from the current planning application to allow conservation work to proceed without delay.
The decision follows months of consultation with grave owners, particularly those with plots on the Mound.
In a statement, the trust said: “We have listened carefully to concerns from those closest to the proposed site. This change will allow us to explore the best way to provide these essential facilities and to consult further with grave owners.”
The proposed building formed part of a broader masterplan developed by the trust’s in-house team and consultants to address structural degradation and tackle invasive species threatening the site’s biodiversity. The 36-acre cemetery, a Grade I-listed landscape, has faced growing conservation pressures in recent years.
Adequate facilities for the gardening and burials teams remain a key part of the trust’s long-term plan, saying “they are critical to the ongoing care and maintenance of the cemetery, ensuring it remains a place of beauty and respect.”
The revised application will go forward to meet deadlines for National Lottery Heritage Fund support, which is essential for funding urgent conservation work.
The trust has committed to improving communication with grave owners and invited further input.
A spokesperson said: “We hope this marks the beginning of a fresh conversation. Once we know the outcome of the amended application, we will begin that process – and we welcome your ideas on how this dialogue should take shape.”
A presentation shown at a recent meeting with grave owners on the Mound has been published online, and the trust maintains that it continues to welcome feedback on the wider conservation plans.