Residents, workers, visitors and students in the City of London are being asked to give their views on Barber-Surgeons’ Gardens to help plan improvements to the site.

The historic garden is located between London Wall and the Barbican lakes and is one of the largest green spaces owned and managed by the City of London Corporation in the Square Mile.

This public consultation is the first phase of the development of a masterplan for the site. The survey, which is available online, is open until Wednesday 27 September.

Chair of the City Corporation’s Natural Environment Board Caroline Haines said:

“Barber-Surgeons’ Gardens provides respite and tranquillity just metres away from the bustle of the Square Mile.

“We want to hear from everyone who uses the gardens to ensure they are welcoming and inclusive, recognising the importance of green space to our health and wellbeing.”

Barber-Surgeons' Gardens is one of 10 livery company gardens remaining in the City and is rich in historic features, containing part of the Roman London Wall - Built around AD 200 - and the remains of the London Roman Fort.

Although there has been a garden on the site since approximately 1555, the present garden was created in 1987 on a derelict bombsite. It contains a physic garden with over 45 species of plants traditionally used in medicine.

The City Corporation manages over 11,000 acres of open space in London and southeast England, including Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath and over 180 smaller sites in the Square Mile, investing over £38m a year.

The City Corporation’s green spaces, most of which are charitable trusts, are run at little or no cost to the communities that they serve.

They include important wildlife habitats, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and National Nature Reserves.

They remove around 16,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere a year, equivalent to 44% of the City Corporation’s annual carbon footprint. They are protected from being built on by special legislation.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Image credits: City of London Corporation

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk