A bill which would see leases on the Kew Gardens estate extend from 31 years to 150 years had its first reading in the House of Commons last week as it moves through Parliament.

The Kew Gardens (Leases) Bill 2016-17 was presented by Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger on Wednesday, June 29.

The bill is in relation to the management of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, which is ‘crown land’ and governed under the Crown Land Act 1702.

The 18th century legislation limits leases on buildings on crown land to 31 years.

The proposed bill would modernise restraints on the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), allowing leases to be set at 150 years.

It would allow make properties on the Kew Gardens estate more commercially attractive, generating revenue which, it says, would support its ‘world-class’ science programmes.

It also said this legislation could help to retain its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the future.

Jill McLaughlin, director of corporate services, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, said: "Making the most of the valuable estate we have at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew is vitally important to securing the future of the organisation.

“We want to protect the listed buildings and maintain our properties but also look at ways to generate income for Kew which can be reinvested into the ongoing care of our buildings, science and horticulture.

“The new bill just brings Kew into line with modern day lease arrangements."