Piccadilly Gardens transformation plans approved

Manchester City Council has given the go-ahead for a major transformation of Piccadilly Gardens in a bid to improve safety and change perceptions of the city-centre park.

Work is due to begin in November and will include new lawns, more trees, a larger playground, extra CCTV and improved lighting.

The project, a collaboration with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and make the area more welcoming.

Council officers approved the scheme on Friday after no objections were received from the public, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Leader of Manchester City Council Garry Bridges said improving Piccadilly Gardens was a "big priority."

"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," he said.

Under the plans, Piccadilly Gardens will be have a large central lawn and more a pedestrian route linking Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter to the transport interchange.

Low concrete walls and "unreliable" fountains will be removed.

It is hoped a new management plan by the council, GMP, TfGM, businesses and residents will keep the gardens "safe, clean and well-maintained".

A consultation on the plans prompted hundreds of responses, including some who raised concerns about anti-social and criminal behaviour in the area.

In a design statement, the council said that "structures and behaviours" had crept in at the Piccadilly Gardens, meaning the space currently holds "all the wrong associations."

Bridges said: "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."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.