Plans for a £13.8m transformation of the Grade II-listed Birmingham Botanical Gardens have been unveiled.

The five-year development project has been submitted to the council by Birmingham-based architects, Howells. The proposal seeks to deliver a long-term sustainable future for the 15-acre Edbaston site which boasts more than 10,000 plants.

The site, which has remained intact since 1829, is currently considered at risk by Historic England. 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”.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ education facility and plant nursery will also be improved, providing an environment to care for the living collections while increasing public awareness of plants, sustainability and environmental issues.

The project has already 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.

To unlock the £5.5m NLHF grant, the Gardens must secure matched funding/pledges of 8.5m. To help achieve this, the team has called on “everyone who cares about the future of the Gardens” to help raise these significant funds.

Sara Blair-Manning, CEO of Birmingham Botanical Gardens 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.”

Building works are set to begin mid-2025 subject to planning permission with completion due in 2028 in time to celebrate BBG’s bicentenary in 2029.

Image credit: Howells