2021/1943/P SWAIN'SSWAIN'SSWAIN'S LANE LANE LANE SWAIN'SSWAIN'SSWAIN'S LANE LANE LANE Highgate Cemetery Highgate Cemetery Shelter 93.2m Lodge Mausoleum 88.1m Monument Mausoleum 89.7m Columbarium Mausoleums 81 84.9m St James Villa 184 to 210 157 to 183 Holly Lodge Mansions 123 to 156 89 to 122 55 to 78 28 to 54 81.6m TCB 78.6m 377 to 408 to 377 Holly Lodge Mansions 376 to 345 83.2m 321 to 344 to 321 2 This material has been reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data with the permission of the controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright. Photos Cemetery photographs Artist’s impressions Example of other work: Analysis sheet Expiry Date: 17/06/2021 Delegated Report N/A / attached Consultation (Members Briefing) 29/05/2021 Expiry Date: Officer Application Number(s) Antonia Powell 2021/1943/P Application Address Drawing Numbers Highgate Cemetery Swain's Lane London See draft decision notice N6 6PJ PO 3/4 Area Team Signature C&UD Authorised Officer Signature Proposal(s) Erection of art installation for temporary period of up to three months. Grant Planning Permission Recommendation(s): Application Type: Full Planning Permission Conditions: Refer to Draft Decision Notice Informatives: Consultations Adjoining Occupiers: No. notified 00 No. of responses 04 No. of objections 03 Historic England: Statutory consultees Offered no comments. A site Notice was displayed between 28/04/2021 and 22/05/2021, and a press notice published in the Ham & High on 28/04/2021. Three letters of objection and one letter of support were received. The letters of objection related to the setting of designated heritage assets, and the appropriateness of this work of art in this location. They are reproduced below for reference: Objection: The cemetery site is consecrated ground. A lift and tunnel were built to ensure bodies receiving funeral rites never touched un consecrated ground. This structure evokes a 'portal' to a 'red. Zone' which may be considered to be Hell due to its colours and flamed design. While encouraging artistic expression on such arenas this work could be considered the antithesis of "sympathetic" and indeed mocks tradition rather than provokes thought. Siting on non-consecrated ground may be an option but it is unlikely the original builders or their deceased clients would have permitted such a flagrant affront to their resting place. Tourists would be drawn by its notoriety to this mocking of tradition rather than note its respect for it. Objection: Highgate Cemetery is not the right location for this sculpture. Waterlow Park is just across the road and would provide a far more suitable place for a work of this kind. The sculpture will neither preserve nor enhance the important Columbarium (colonnade structure) and as such it should not Summary of be located here, nor indeed anywhere in what is a very sensitive Grade 1 consultation listed site overall (with many Grade II Listed monuments and other responses: structures within the immediate vicinity). Objection: This is yet another attempt of the management of the cemetery to increase the footfall and bring more visitors to the site that is intended to be a place of rest and peace. It is out of touch with the original purpose of burial site and inconsiderate of families and friends of those who rest there. If we change our perception of what burial sites are in terms of engagement with art, will it embolden those who think that cafe to be developed on site is an appropriate course of action? (Please note the Development Type is Commercial Minor Alterations). Why do we have nature reserves as a protected areas of importance for flora and fauna (where footfall and human presence is monitored) but we disregard humans? I agree with previous comment that Waterlow Park is a more suitable place for the sculpture. One letter of support was received stating: …. writing in support of this project, from LUX, an arts organisation based in Waterlow Park which adjoins the cemetery. Phyllida Barlow CBE RA is an artist of great renown and is producing a site specific sculptural work responding to the context of Highgate Cemetery. This project will make a great contribution to the cultural life of the area in an outdoor covid-safe environment, as well as offering free public access to the work of a significant contemporary artist it will also offer new ways to reflect on and experience the courtyard of Highgate Cemetery, a space that is usually not accessible to general public outside of tours. Furthermore it offers an opportunity to experience the work of acclaimed arts institution Studio Voltaire outside of their space in South London. Highgate CAAC: Offered no comments. The Highgate Neighbourhood Forum: CAAC/Local groups* The Forum wrote in support of the application comments: Highgate Society: No response. Site Description The original Western Cemetery, opened 1839, was created by Geary's London Cemetery Company. The romantic layout, over approximately 17 acres, was designed by David Ramsay. The Cemetery is listed Grade I on the Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. The West Cemetery is entered via a grand gateway in the Tudor Gothic style. With a central four-centred archway displaying a plaque inscribed "London Cemetery" and having the City of London Coat of Arms, above which a drip mould. The main entrance is flanked by two Chapels with two storey polygonal turrets having lancet windows and polygonal terminal features flank gateway and similar blind turrets at angles; a central two storey narrow canted bay window with pointed lights to each chapel and with crenellated parapets. Subsidiary features include, attached to north and south facades of chapels, cast-iron traceried railings on brick sleeper walls with entrance gateways having octagonal stone piers with ogival finials and cast-iron traceried double gates. Fig 1. Site of the proposed temporary artwork When the eastern cemetery was opened, due to popular demand, in 1855 the Anglican chapel was fitted with a hydraulic bier which lowered coffins into a tunnel leading under the road to the new cemetery; much of this remains. All of these structures are Grade II listed. The site is also within Highgate Conservation Area (also known as Highgate Village CA). The cemetery is also in a Site of Importance to Nature Conservation (SINC) and is designated as Open Space / Metropolitan Open Land (MOL). Relevant History There is planning history relating to works to the buildings and structures of the Western Cemetery Highgate. There is no relevant planning history relating to the display of art in this location. Relevant policies NPPF 2019 London Plan 2021 Camden Local Plan 2017 D1 Design D2 Heritage A2 Open space A3 Biodiversity C3 Cultural and leisure facilities Highgate Neighbourhood Plan OS1 Highgate’s Major Open Spaces DH2 Development Proposals in Highgate’s Conservation Areas Camden Planning Guidance Artworks, statues and memorials 2019 Design 2021 Public open space 2021 Assessment 1.0 Heritage and design This application concerns the temporary display of “Stack” - a sculpture installation by the artist Phyllida Barlow CBE RA. Fig 2. Artist’s impression The piece is to be displayed within the cobbled courtyard which is entered through the gatehouse of the main entrance to the West Cemetery. This is a generous open space flanked by the Chapels of Highgate Cemetery and with a backdrop formed by the memorial Columbarium and the War Memorial. The open aspect will allow for the display to be fully appreciated while not impeding access. The display of “Stack” is backed by Studio Voltaire, a leading not for profit arts based organisation and a registered charity. The art work will be accessible to all during Highgate Cemetery’s public opening hours and free of charge to visit. The art-work is to be free standing and will not be fixed to the Cemetery fabric. It will be entirely reversible. Consent is sought for three months, with the installation of the piece taking place between 5th and 16th July 2021 and the public visiting dates from 17th July to 29th August 2021. Highgate Cemetery forms a large and important part of the Conservation Area, mainly in its own right, but also through its contribution of open space which is part of the wider significance of the conservation area. Many of the monuments and tombs are individually listed and their setting within the cemetery contributes to their significance along with their architectural detail and historical importance. In recognition of this cemetery setting and the importance of the landscaping, the cemetery is also included in the List of Historic Parks and Gardens. The cumulative significance of these designated assets reflects their importance to the conservation area as a formal landscaped open space. The display of “Stack” is totally reversible and will cause no harm to the physical fabric or the setting of the listed structures within the entrance to the cemetery. It is a piece of artwork that will sit confidently within its landscaped surroundings, and only for a short temporary period. The proposal will there preserve the character and appearance of the Historic Park and Garden, the Conservation Area, and the setting of the listed buildings in line with Local Plan Policies D1 and D2, and Neighbourhood Plan policy DH2. Special attention has been paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the significance of the heritage assets, under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and as set out within the NPPF. 2.0 Open space and SINC The proposal is on MOL but the impact on the open space in is negligible given its scale and temporary nature, and it will have no notable impact on openness, especially given its siting in the courtyard.