Kew Gardens has submitted a planning application to Richmond Council which seeks permission to extend The Orangery Terrace.

The Orangery, which was originally designed as a hothouse to protect exotic citrus plants over the winter, has been a restaurant since 1989.

It was extended in 2003 to house the cafe, kitchen, toilets and a conference room.

The planning application states that the proposed extension will "protect and conserve the building and landscape for future generations and improve the visitor and guest experience, providing improved access to the existing lawn seating area and increasing the outdoor seating capacity."

The planning application says: "The modest extension to the current external terrace of the Orangery and is essential to support the Orangery restaurant and café.

"During the hot summer months, demand for external seating dramatically exceeds the capacity on the existing terrace and this is having a detrimental effect on the Great Lawn.

"As well as causing significant wear and tear to the lawn which is detracting from the quality of the landscaped space visitors are currently moving tables and chairs and informally sitting all over the Great Lawn. "

"The proposals therefore aim to consolidate the external seating into one carefully designed, sensitive and dedicated area capable of dealing with the traffic created.

"This will enhance the setting of the Orangery and its relationship to the Great Lawn.

"The location of the terrace extension will be directly in front of the Orangery, adjacent to the existing paved terrace."

The proposed terrace extension will have an area of 320 square meters and will incorporate similar furniture to the current terrace.

The planning application concludes that the minor impact that the extension will have will cause 'less substantial harm' than if the current lawn issues were to continue.

Read the full application here.