One of Birmingham’s most popular tourist and event destinations is to undergo a restoration project under newly submitted plans.
City architecture practice Howells has lodged proposals to revamp the gradeII*-listed Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston which is home to more than 10,000 botanic species.
The “urgent and extensive restoration” is desperately needed, according to chief executive work Sara Blair-Manning, as the site’s future is considered ‘at risk’ by government body Historic England.
The 15-acre site is home to heritage assets, including four Victorian glasshouses, which will be restored to reflect their original form and adapted to serve contemporary horticultural needs.
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The project will provide a low-carbon, sympathetic reinterpretation of the existing gardens and structure and will deliver a long-term sustainable future for the attraction.
Called ‘Growing our Green Heritage’, it has been supported by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Ms Blair-Manning said: “This is the last chance to save Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The gardens offer a rich, uniquely biodiverse natural environment, one mile from the city centre and we know, through consultation, that they are hugely treasured by the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands.
“They need urgent and extensive restoration and repairs and are considered at risk by Historic England. A successful project will mean they can continue to connect people with culture, heritage and nature in a large urban metropolis.
“We are grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for the development monies and look forward to being able to deliver a successful project with Howells and the wider design team.”
CGI of plans to revamp Birmingham Botanical Gardens Sandeep Shambi, partner at Howells, added: “We are delighted to have submitted plans for the Birmingham Botanical Gardens which is one of the last independent botanical gardens in the UK and so it’s vitally important that this important heritage asset is conserved but also given space to develop.
“We are working in collaboration with their talented team to help preserve the gardens for future generations and create jobs and opportunities for people in Birmingham.”
Howells is working in collaboration with conservation specialists and historic buildings consultants Donald Insall Associates.
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