Brighton's Royal Pavilion gardens in line for 7ft perimeter fence

Trees will be cut down in a bid to restore the original views intended by Pavilion architect John Nash, if plans are approved.

The Royal Pavilion Gardens in Brighton have been plagued with serious sexual assaults, robberies and even murder in recent years - earning it a negative reputation among locals despite the beautiful surroundings.

Plans submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council by Brighton and Hove Museums reveal how they intend to limit access to the Pavilion Gardens at night time with new 6ft10 gates and fences.

A new entrance to the gardens in New Road - currently acting as a "visual barrier" and a hub for antisocial behaviour - would see the long wooden benches removed and 2.1 metre-high gates installed at the entrances.

Forensic officers in the Pavilion Gardens after the murder of rough sleeper Andrew O’Connell in 2018

The planning application reads: "There is no sense of arrival on a royal estate: the project will overhaul all the entrances, and install new gates, wayfinding and signage.

"Anti-social behaviour threatens the safety of the fragile Royal Pavilion and Estate buildings and impacts on and deters some garden users; the project will improve security by reinstating a gated boundary."

Read more: Royal Pavilion Gardens could get new toilets and redesign

In its current state, the Pavilion gardens cannot close to the public at any time.

Planning documents state: "The proposed new perimeter fence and gates will allow the ability to secure a number of exits/entrances in order to ensure a level of security around the garden to protect users and the historic gardens.

"Brighton and Hove City Council and Brighton and Hove Museums have committed to maintain 24-hour access to the gardens."

A diagram of what the fence could look like (Image: Planning documents)

A number of designs were considered for the railings, including flint walls and taller railings.

The application continues: "The Security Audit carried out by SWG in 2022 recommended that boundary treatments should be 2900mm high in order to prevent unauthorized access.

"However, this would be significantly higher than the original detail which remains on site and would significantly impact the visual setting of the gardens.

"As such boundary proposals have predominantly been developed to a height of 2100mm to follow the original detail, which would follow general guidance from ‘secure by design’, the official police security initiative."

What the entrances in New Road could look like (Image: Planning documents)

Some 96 trees have been recorded at the gardens - some blocking traditional views of the Royal Pavilion intended by architect John Nash.

Plans to remove a selection of these in order to return these views are planned.

Other changes include restoring infrastructure such as walls and lighting and improvements to the utility area.

These changes come hand in hand with a redesign of the Pavilion Gardens toilets which have been closed since October last year due to vandalism.