A planning application has been submitted for a major revamp of Piccadilly Gardens, which council bosses say will turn the area into a 'world-class' destination. The long-awaited changes could start within months, with the application expected to receive approval by October.
Vision for a 'distinctive green heart'
The plans aim to create a 'distinctive green heart' in central Manchester, with Piccadilly Gardens as the 'front door' to the city. Working with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the proposals seek to shed 'all the wrong associations' that Piccadilly Gardens has become known for, particularly around safety concerns.
A new management plan is being drawn up to help the gardens stay 'safe, clean and well-maintained', in a partnership between the council, GMP, TfGM, businesses, and residents.
Key improvements and features
The plans will make the gardens a 'vibrant and colourful space', including ripping out the low concrete walls and 'unreliable' fountains. More CCTV is on the way to improve security, as well as better lighting, new benches, and 'space for a permanent structure'.
For families, there will be a bigger playground for younger kids. A wider seating area will be created for the cafes and restaurants based at the ground floor of the One Piccadilly Gardens office building. However, the popular Piccadilly street food market traders will be 'relocated' to another part of the city centre.
Funding and phased approach
While there was no clear sign of costs in the planning statement, it stated that funding has been 'secured' to begin the first part of the revamp. The second phase of work will be led by TfGM to build a new multi-million pound transport interchange.
Councillor Garry Bridges, Manchester council's interim leader, said: “Residents have told us loud and clear what they want from Piccadilly Gardens. They want the area to look better and feel safer and that's exactly what we're going to deliver.
“There has already been significant investment in the area – including extra police and council resources – with even more on the way.
“This application will see a much-improved space: putting the gardens back in Piccadilly Gardens, providing a better children's play area and supporting a more inviting place all round.”
Community input and future plans
The plans were shaped by a public consultation over summer, with more than 400 responses highlighting 'longstanding concerns' over anti-social behaviour, as well as the need for more lighting and CCTV. Around 21,000 people walk through Piccadilly Gardens daily, according to planning reports.
Piccadilly Gardens 2.0 will be designed around a 'roughly-oval' central lawn, with a pedestrian route connecting Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter through the gardens to the transport interchange in the south. A paved pedestrian route will also loop around the lawn.
Wider plans, not part of the planning application, include restoring and cleaning the three listed statues in the area. The plans also reference 'the potential future location for a structure' on Piccadilly Gardens.
Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “These exciting plans for Piccadilly Gardens will bring vast improvements for everyone who passes through it and for the numerous businesses who operate in the vicinity.
“The Bee Network is already transforming how people move around Greater Manchester and we are developing plans with the local community for a modern transport interchange linking buses, Metrolink and active travel that will help create a city centre that is greener, better connected and welcoming for everyone.”
Chief Inspector Mike Tachauer, from GMP's city of Manchester district, said: “We welcome the next phase of the planning application for the new-look Piccadilly Gardens.
“Senior officers have been involved in consultations from the outset to ensure there is a strong policing input into these plans.
“Piccadilly Gardens is a space that everyone should feel safe and secure when travelling in and around the area.
“Our officers have ensured that elements pertaining to public safety have been one of the key focuses in the planning process including better lighting and more CCTV.
“We have had several experienced police officers who have strong experience around policing Piccadilly Gardens who have given an input to these plans, and there are a number of elements we have learnt from, for example, understanding how planters can be misused by those involved in criminality and how we can deter this from happening.
“There is also cross organisational understanding that the safety of the Gardens is a multi-agency partnership that we all need to be involved in to ensure everyone is doing their bit to keep our communities safe.”
