"A place to enjoy life, today and for future generations."
High Park – The Mountain is currently in the concept stage, with planning permission, funding, and approvals still required. To become production-ready and approved, it must secure planning permission, complete funding arrangements, and meet all regulatory conditions. A small church proposed by the Radosavlevici family is part of the concept and may be sited where the family wishes, but at present it exists without permission or approval — it can only proceed once the family formally requests it, secures planning permission, and the proposal is approved through the proper process.
The proposed site is the open plaza at the top of the mountain (+120 m AOD), directly beside the 360° panoramic London skyline viewing saucer. Placing the chapel here gives it: unobstructed skyline views on three sides, natural arrival flow from summit visitors (the busiest point of the park), calm separation from the 7 subterranean levels below (all remain untouched), and the symbolic highest-point position for worship, remembrance and family ceremonies.
A new-build chapel is a full planning application: in the UK, planning permission is required for new buildings and external works irrespective of denomination — the "ecclesiastical exemption" only removes the need for listed building consent for certain denominations and applies to existing places of worship, not new construction. Building regulations approval is also required before any building work.
| Requirement | Who grants it | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Full planning permission (new place of worship, F1 use class) | Local planning authority (London borough) | ❌ Not submitted |
| Building regulations approval (structural, fire, access) | Local authority building control / approved inspector | ❌ Not submitted |
| Design & access statement, heritage & townscape assessment | Submitted with the application | ❌ Not started |
| Structural engineering of the artificial mountain summit slab | Independent structural engineer | ❌ Not started |
| Fire strategy & evacuation from +120 m level | Fire engineer + approving authority | ❌ Not started |
| Equality Act access statement (step-free, wheelchair) | Included in application | ❌ Not started |
| Funding commitment for construction | Investors / family / grants | ❌ Not committed |
| Formal request by the Radosavlevici family to proceed | The family | ❌ Not yet made |
| Phase | Key activities | Gate to pass |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Concept (now) | Summit chapel concept design, siting study, this plan & status prompt | Family formally requests the chapel |
| 2 · Feasibility | Structural survey of summit slab, architect appointment, cost plan, access study | Feasibility report accepted |
| 3 · Pre-application | Pre-app advice from the borough, community consultation, design revisions | Pre-app feedback incorporated |
| 4 · Planning submission | Full planning application, D&A statement, townscape/heritage assessments | Planning permission granted |
| 5 · Funding & approvals | Complete funding arrangements, building regs approval, fire strategy sign-off | All regulatory conditions met |
| 6 · Construction | Build chapel to approved drawings, inspections | Practical completion certificate |
| 7 · Opening | Consecration/dedication, public quiet-space opening | Production-ready & approved |
If you are interested in supporting or investing in the High Park – The Mountain project, including the Summit Chapel, please share your details below. Your inquiry will be sent directly to the project team.