'Discreet' Wi-Fi plan for Oxford Botanic Garden

Developers of the system for the historic horticultural attraction, say the electronic equipment to which users would connect, would be hidden in flower beds, underneath public benches and behind information posts so that full internet coverage can be provided in a ‘discreet’ manner.

The garden, in High Street, is part of Oxford University and was granted Grade I-listed status in 1984.

Because of the importance of the listing, which is the highest protective status to be dished out by Historic England, the plans need special permission from the council.

The university hopes better internet coverage will draw in more paying visitors.

They also plan to run a new undergraduate biology course, specifically using the new internet connection.

In their plans, the university said the project aimed to ‘enhance the digital experience of the garden’.

The historic site was opened in 1621 as the Oxford Physic Garden and now boasts the title of the oldest botanical garden in Britain. The walled garden is divided by gravel paths and split into eight mini lawns.

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Part of the plot was also used as a Jewish cemetery back in 1180 and 1290. Not long ago a Saxon iron spearhead and a shield belonging to Pope Alexander III were found on the site, near Magdalen Bridge.

Managers at the garden now want to combine new and old and inject some modern into the site –which also boasts impressive greenhouses.

They explain in the plans that the new internet connection will attract a wider audience to the grounds, boost engagement with visitors and become a useful resource for teaching.

If all goes to plan, contractors will dig shallow trenches to bury the internet cables that connect to the access points, which will be hidden in concealed areas across the gardens.

In the application they wrote: “These positive benefits must be considered against any potential harm that may arise from the proposed alterations.”

It is understood that if the plans go ahead, it could take two years for them to be implemented.

Plans can be found on the Oxford City Council planning portal using the reference 19/01309/LBC.