September 11 memorial plans unveiled

A memorial garden to the 67 British citizens who died on 11 September is to be laid out in the shadow of the American Embassy, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell announced today.

The first anniversary of the terrorist attacks will be commemorated next month at St Paul's Cathedral, where Prince Charles will lead a memorial service.

The garden, to be sited within Grosvenor Square Gardens, will not be finished until next year but a planning application has been submitted to Westminster council, in close consultation with the families of the victims.

Grosvenor Square Gardens is bordered on its west by the US Embassy and has become known as "the American Square". In the aftermath of 11 September it became a focal point for many of the bereaved.

The design by the victims' families, with the Royal Parks and landscape architects Land Use Consultants, consists of an oval with two planting beds on one side and an oak pergola with a classic pavilion on the other. A stone centrepiece with an inscription listing all the victims' names will complete the memorial.

The garden, which will be surrounded by a yew hedge and steel railings, will feature native North American and British plants, along with flowers that were incorporated in the posy presented to the Queen at last November's memorial service.

It may also include lily of the valley, representing hope, and rosemary for remembrance. At the request of the families there will be no sculpture or fountain.

Ms Jowell said: "Our intention is to provide a garden that will be simple, dignified and designed to the highest quality. It will also allow for privacy and seclusion for visitors.

"It is fitting that the garden should be completed in time for the second anniversary of this terrible tragedy."

Tom Clarke, who lost his sister, said: "Given the nature of the tragedy, we thought that a peaceful garden, somewhere for quiet reflection, would be the most fitting [memorial]. The location, opposite the United States' Embassy, will reflect the loss our two countries shared on 11 September.

"We will all remember those we lost in our individual ways. But having a permanent, public memorial in central London will act as a focal point for us."