Plans to transform Piccadilly Gardens have been given the green light

Plans to transform Piccadilly Gardens have been given the go-ahead, with work set to get underway this autumn.

The Council received no objections to the proposals, which meant that officials were able to approve the full planning application without it needing to be considered at next month’s Planning Committee. The submission followed a public consultation on the plans in summer.

The decision means that preparation works can continue ahead of the main works getting underway in November.

Key elements of the Piccadilly Gardens application include:

• Putting the ‘Gardens’ back in Piccadilly Gardens – more green space including lawn, trees, planting, seating and colourful horticultural displays.

• A new space for family-friendly events - removing the old, unreliable fountains and creating a new space to hold events and activities throughout the year. A new, flexible structure - referred to as The Welcome Pavilion - will be built to support regular activity.  This will be the focus of a separate planning application.

• Better use of space -removing the unsightly low concrete walls and raised planters along the edge of Piccadilly Gardens, close to the Queen Victoria statue, and improving the statue’s setting.

• Refreshing the existing children’s play area – creating a new, larger playground for younger children. This will be of the same high quality as new play areas like those at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green but designed specifically to suit Piccadilly Gardens.

The plans will also support a safer space through improved sightlines, better lighting and enhanced CCTV. The planning application is available to view here.

Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We’re getting on with the task of improving Piccadilly Gardens. It’s a big priority for me.

“Securing planning permission means that before this year is out, we can get started properly on work to transform the space and have it finished and ready for the public to use next year.

“Piccadilly Gardens has huge potential to be a real asset to the city and its people. We know it hasn’t been good enough – but that’s about to change.”

Once the physical works are completed, the Council says it aims to deliver a regular stream of bespoke family-friendly activity and seasonal events to enjoy.

The new scheme coincides with several other projects taking place in the immediate vicinity of the Gardens, including the major Rylands redevelopment (of the Grade II-listed former Debenhams building) which is creating a new office, retail and leisure destination, and the recently-approved plans to refurbish and improve One  Piccadilly  Gardens.

Further planned improvements to the area around Piccadilly Gardens in the coming years will include a multi-million-pound investment by Transport for Greater Manchester to create a new, modern transport interchange.

Image credit: Virtual Planit