A secret garden with sculptures and outdoor seating could get improved facilities if plans are approved.

The Secret Garden in Kemp Town, Brighton, is a historic garden which originally belonged to a home in Sussex Square and was accessed from a tunnel.

There used to be several such gardens but now the Secret Garden is the last one standing. It opens on weekends in the warmer months for people to view its sculptures, learn about its history or have a tea and cake from its refreshments stall.

The plans for the Secret GardenThe plans for the Secret Garden (Image: Landivar Architects/Brighton and Hove City Council)

Along the west wall of the garden, in Bristol Gardens, is a pavilion.

In new plans submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council, the Antony Dale Trust, which runs the garden, wants to extend and alter the existing pavilion to provide indoor community use space and more toilets including disabled toilet.

The trust also wants to install a disabled access footpath in garden and stairs from street level.

The Secret Garden in Kemp TownThe Secret Garden in Kemp Town (Image: The Argus)

The Secret Garden is called "secret" because it is "an oasis, a delightful walled garden hidden from view, in the midst of suburban Kemp Town", the trustees said. ​

READ MORE: Secret tunnel beneath Brighton to open for lights show

It was bought by the family of Antony Dale, founder of the Regency Society, in 1950. It was cared for by Antony and his wife Yvonne.

Rather than sell it for development, Yvonne decided the garden should remain as a haven for the use of the community and others and for artistic purposes.

The planned elevationsThe planned elevations (Image: Landivar Architects/Brighton and Hove City Council)

In plans submitted to the council by Landivar Architects on behalf of the Antony Dale Trust, architects said: "The Secret Garden is open to the public every weekend between April and October and would like to achieve year round access.

"When the garden is open it offers light refreshments to visitors as part of the volunteer fundraising efforts. The garden is also licensed to hold weddings or other civil ceremonies. The Antony Dale Trust is aiming to create opportunities for increased community access and year-round provision with the improved facilities."

The pavilion would be extended with a glazed orangery structure and there would also be a new covered entrance reception area at street level from Bristol Place.