Major boost for attraction’s restoration plans

The planned transformation of a major Birmingham attraction has taken a crucial step forward after it secured millions in funding.

The four and a half year restoration project is set to provide “urgently needed” repairs at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which boasts more than 10,000 plants across its 15-acre site.

Those behind the plans, which were approved earlier this year, have said they will restore the Gardens’ historic glasshouses, enhance visitor amenities and improve sustainability.

And now Birmingham Botanical Gardens has confirmed that it has been awarded £9 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards its restoration.
A spokesperson for the attraction said: “This vital and timely funding made possible by National Lottery players will ensure that urgently needed repairs and restorations are carried out to secure the future of this treasured historic site.

“Without intervention, the Victorian glasshouses, identified as at risk by Historic England, would have faced closure within two years.

“They will now be carefully restored to the original designs, providing the perfect conditions to protect and grow BBG’s globally significant Living Collection of plants.”

It went on to say that as an independent charity, the loss of the “iconic structures” would have threatened BBG’s long-term future and endangered a “fundamental part of Birmingham’s cultural and environmental heritage”.

The attraction continued that over 90 per cent of the funding now in place and appealed to those who care about the Gardens to “help close the gap”.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Chair, Sue Beardsmore, said: “Our uniquely biodiverse natural environment is one of the UK’s most significant historic botanic gardens and part of Birmingham and the West Midlands’ richly diverse cultural history and way of life.

“This safe, peaceful space is part of the green heart of Birmingham and a hugely treasured place to the city, the West Midlands region and its communities.

“With The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s grant, together with generous pledges of support from The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Julia Rausing Trust, The Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust and others, we can now preserve this historic estate, nursery and iconic glasshouses for future generations.”

The attraction said a “stunning” central courtyard will be created as part of the plans, enabling BBG to host “income-generating events”.

The existing café is also set to be reused to create a visitor welcome building, which BBG said will “radically improve” the visitor experience and include an expanded café overlooking the Gardens and a new reception, retail and plant sales area.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ chief executive, Sara Blair Manning, added: “The National Lottery Heritage Fund has given a huge endorsement of the importance of the Gardens to Birmingham and the significant development progress to date.

“It is a testament to our team’s dedication, expertise and strategic planning and we thank National Lottery players who have made this grant possible, which will enable us to improve and safeguard the Gardens for future generations”.

The restoration proposals were approved, with conditions, earlier this year in April by council planners.

A report at the time said the plans would secure “significant public benefits” by “improving the usage and longevity of the site and making the Gardens more accessible for a wide group of users”.

“Planning conditions would be attached to secure the quality of the scheme, ensure no harm to protected species and to provide a safe and suitable access,” it added.