The planned Garden Bridge across the Thames is set to clear a major hurdle on Monday when it is granted planning permission by Lambeth council.
The £150 million structure — designed by Thomas Heatherwick, mastermind of the London Olympics cauldron — will span the river between Temple and the South Bank.
The 1,214ft pedestrian bridge will feature a figure of eight of curving, paved pathways linking five separate gardens displaying plants from Britain and northern Europe.
A report on the unique project by Heatherwick and leading garden designer and TV presenter Dan Pearson reveals the full details of its scale.
It calls London “one of the greenest cities in the world” and adds: “This floating garden would integrate a new kind of public space into the fabric of the city, adding to London’s rich and diverse horticultural heritage of parks, squares and community gardens.”
Crossing the bridge — more than 90ft wide in places — will be a “transitional experience”. The sections will include marshland, ornamental gardens, wild glades, fruit trees, evergreens, clifftop plants and pines. All the species have been selected for their ability to thrive in an exposed, windy setting.
Seating will be provided — but with an “irregular top surface” to discourage rough sleepers from colonising the bridge, which will be lit after dark to let evening walkers enjoy the gardens.
The bridge will open from 6am until midnight and use will be free. An estimated 7 million people will visit each year. It will be patrolled by wardens whose duties will include preventing cycling on it, for safety reasons.
Lambeth’s planning department is recommending committee approval of the “iconic” bridge. Westminster council consent is also required.
Construction could begin in December next year if the necessary funding can be raised. So far more than £90 million has been pledged by the Government, Transport for London and private donors. It is hoped the bridge will open to the public in 2018.
