Man beaten by gang
PLANS ARE FINALLY APPROVED TO DEMOLISH PICCADILLY SQUARE’S HATED STRUCTURE
PLANS to demolish part of the muchhated ‘Berlin Wall’ in Piccadilly Gardens have been approved.
Manchester council submitted a planning application last month for the removal of the small, curved section of the wall that it owns and which separates the gardens from the bus station on Parker Street.
Leaders say it will be the first stage in a major overhaul of the city centre’s largest public square.
Around £2million of council cash has been allocated for the demolition work as well as carrying out surveys, design work, and a public consultation on how to improve Piccadilly Gardens after many years of complaints about crime and anti-social behaviour.
The budget for the full revamp will be significantly higher, in the region of £10m.
The transformation took a step forward on Thursday when the planning application to demolish the free-standing element of the wall was approved.
No date has yet been fixed on when the work will be carried out but the council’s city centre spokesperson Councillor Pat Karney said he hopes it will be ‘in the next few weeks.’
The work may have an impact on the adjacent tram stop but it is not anticipated to cause major disruption.
“We’ve waited for this for over a decade,” said Coun Karney.
“It’s a symbol of the renewal of Piccadilly Gardens, it’s the first step but there’s a lot more to come.”
In its application, the council had argued that demolition of the freestanding section of wall was necessary to address issues with crime and antisocial behaviour in the short term, as well as send out a signal that the council is ‘committed’ to the larger project. The wall has become notorious as a hotspot for drug-dealing and large groups to congregate, and has often been the scene of violent incidents. Officials said that removing the wall will make it easier for police to monitor the area.
The larger part of the structure, known officially as the ‘Pavilion,’ will stay – for now.
However, it is understood its future is by no means certain either and it could also come down in the long term. Jon-Connor Lyons, Labour councillor for the Piccadilly ward, said: “I’m thrilled planning permission was granted without a problem.
“People have complained for years. The place needs drastic change and we need to get that change right.”
The M.E.N. has twice campaigned for an overhaul of Piccadilly Gardens following a disastrous redesign in 2002 for the Commonwealth Games. This saw the sunken flowerbeds removed and replaced with grass turf that continually turns into a mudbath and fountains that have repeatedly broken down and cost thousands of pounds to fix.
The brutalist, concrete slab was designed by Japanese artist Tadao Ando as a pavilion to shield the Gardens from the city’s central bus and tram terminus.
But it has never been welcomed by Mancunians.
A man has been taken to hospital after he was assaulted by a group of men in Withington.
The man, believed to be in his 40s, was taken to hospital for treatment following the attack on Wilmslow Road on Thursday night.
His injuries are not thought to be lifethreatening. Photos from the scene showed several police cars and ambulances responding to the incident.
An air ambulance was also pictured landing nearby.
Police have launched an investigation into the assault. No arrests have been made.
We’ve waited for this for over a decade. It’s a symbol of the renewal of Piccadilly Gardens Councillor Pat Karney