St Mary Magdalene Churchyard Gardens, N7, could realise its full potential thanks to proposals to upgrade the grounds and surrounding streetscape.
Islington Council and the Church Council of St. Mary Magdalene have prepared a framework for the development of ideas for the open space, just off the Holloway Road.
This design brief, and the appointment of landscape architects, follows initial public consultation exercises held in 2005. Respondents highlighted the need to make the gardens more accessible and remind people that though attached to the Grade 2 listed church, the grounds are still an open space for everyone.
A public exhibition will set out the findings of the consultation and research undertaken over the last two years, and will present new design principles and will be held at St Mary Magdalene Church (opposite Central Library on Holloway Road) on Friday 29 September, 2 - 5pm and Saturday 30 September, 11am - 4pm.
Cllr Lucy Watt, Executive Member for Environment said:
"The gardens are a 200 year old public space and together with the church, span the transformation of the borough from a rural village to now what is a densely populated urban centre.
"While this potential has not been fully realised, we now have the momentum to make something really special for many more people to use - and just a stone's throw from the busy Holloway Road.
"The proposals will concentrate on accessibility and quality - making an open space that people want to visit and they are encouraged to look after."
Ultimately, a master plan will be created that will identify improvements for the future.
St Mary Magdalene church, which was built in 1814 and has around 133,000 visitors a year, hosts centres for asylum seekers and Alcoholics Anonymous as well as running the Martin Luther King Adventure Playground.
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Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008