Birmingham Botanical Gardens to undergo ‘urgent restoration’

Birmingham City Council has approved plans to transform and restore the Grade II* listed Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is embarking on a five-year £13.8m development project to restore and preserve part of its estate which is considered at risk by Historic, which Historic England considers at risk

Plans will restore the Grade-II historic glasshouse estate, improve visitor and learning facilities and engage with the community to create “a place of horticultural excellence”.

Other key spaces, including the education facility and plant nursery, will also be improved to provide an environment to care for the living collections and increase public awareness of plants, sustainability and environmental issues.

The Botanical Gardens is one of the UK’s most significant historic botanic gardens which has remarkably remained intact since 1829.

The project has secured the backing of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) which awarded a development grant of £590k in October 2022, together with the opportunity to secure £5m+ in October 2024.

A design team led by Howells Architects and supported by conservation architect Donald Insalls developed plans. Building works are set to begin mid-2025 with completion due in 2028 in time to celebrate BBG’s bicentenary in 2029.

Chief executive Sara Blair-Manning said: “We are delighted that planning has been granted for the capital project.

“The gardens offer a rich, uniquely biodiverse natural environment and we know, through consultation, they are hugely treasured by the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands.

“The gardens 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.”

Sandeep Shambi, a partner at Howells in Digbeth, said: “We are delighted to have received the go ahead for the Birmingham Botanical Gardens which is one of the last independent botanical gardens in the UK and so it’s vitally important this heritage asset is conserved but also given space to develop.

“We are working in collaboration with their talented team, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, stakeholders and Donald Insall Associates, to help preserve the gardens for future generations and create jobs and opportunities for people in Birmingham.”

Matthew Vaughan, practice director at Donald Insall Associates, added: “Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a landmark, not just for its historic buildings but its living collection of rare species from across the globe.

“Conservation of the glasshouses to respond to these particular heritage considerations will be a key challenge, protecting the historic fabric while enhancing their performance for the needs of the collection within.

“We look forward to realising our client’s vision for enhancing the sustainability, accessibility and heritage of the Botanical Gardens for the people of Birmingham and beyond.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close