Memorial seats

Due to the upcoming changes to the seafront by the new coastal defence scheme, we regret that we cannot install any new memorial benches along the seafront promenade for the foreseeable future.

The most common form of request for a dedication in a park or open space is a memorial bench. This has proved so popular that many sites have more seating provision than is required to serve the demand and has led to the identification of ‘saturation zones’ where we are not able to accommodate further requests, unless a further requests, unless a defined seating bay has become vacant. These are Southsea Seafront, Southsea Common, Old Portsmouth, Victoria Park and Portsdown Hill.

Applications will be considered in other parks and open spaces, subject to a vacant seating bay or other suitable and available space, at the discretion of the parks team. The style of bench will be chosen by the parks team to ensure aesthetic unity throughout the park or wider area.

In addition, anyone applying for a new memorial bench should be aware:

• the cost for a seat is £2,075 +VAT (£2,490 inc. VAT)
• the council is responsible for the supply, installation and maintenance of the bench for a period of 10 years (the bench lifetime)
• this cost includes one plaque, that will be supplied and engraved by the council – a plaque may contain up to 60 words of choice
• the council accepts no liability for replacement of the bench or plaque
• no additional items are permitted in the vicinity of the bench, such as flowers or wreaths (any found, will be removed)
• the council reserves the right to remove or relocate any bench after a period of 10 years, in the event of vandalism or disrepair, the bench becomes structurally unsafe, or in the event of a future redevelopment scheme

An alternative means of helping develop our green spaces whilst creating a quiet and attractive location for reflection, is by way of new tree plantings or ‘urban meadow’ pockets – a living memorial or sponsored gift to the city.

Applicants for new tree planting should be aware:

• the basis cost for a tree is £495 +VAT (£594 inc. VAT) but may be more depending on the species and size requested or in exceptional circumstances
• the council is responsible for the supply and planting of the tree and watering for the first two years
• the parks arboricultural officer will advise whether a requested location is deemed suitable or unable to accommodate more trees
• applicants will be provided with a suggested tree species, or choice of species
• memorial plaques are not permitted on or adjacent to trees
• the tree will be maintained in line with the council’s current maintenance programme
• any financial contribution towards a tree will be recorded on the council’s tree database and mapping records and a certificate will be issued

Applicants wishing to fund an urban meadow should be aware:

• the cost to adopt a section of urban meadow, or create a new meadow area, is £5.00 per square metre +VAT (£6.00 per square metre inc. VAT)
• there is a minimum contribution of 10 square metres
• the council is responsible for one annual seeding of the meadow concerned
• the parks team will advise of suitable existing areas or whether a requested location is deemed suitable to accommodate an urban meadow
• memorial plaques are not permitted in the meadow spaces
• the meadow will be maintained in line with the council’s current maintenance programme
• any financial contribution towards an urban meadow will be recorded on the council’s electronic mapping database and a plan showing the location will be issued

The legal right to trees and urban meadows remains with the council, who reserve the right to move, remove or replace if unforeseen circumstances require it to do so. Funds raised through memorial donations and sponsorship go directly towards establishment and maintenance of trees and urban meadows.

If you wish to apply for or sponsor a bench, tree or urban meadow in a park or open space, contact the parks team at parks@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or on 023 9283 4180.

We do not manage donations on highways or the seafront promenade (where no new benches are being installed due to the new coastal defence scheme).