Makeover call for 'tired' city centre gardens

Victoria Gardens, a paved open space outside the Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute in the Headrow, has not had any major improvement works for year and is looking "tired", according to Leeds Council planning officials.

The charity Groundwork Leeds, with financial backing from Marks & Spencer, has submitted plans that will see the space spruced up in time for public events later this year.

The 200,000 refurbishment includes the following:

Replacement marble and granite chess boards;

Small chess boards to be carved into coping stones;

Sixteen trees removed and replaced with 26 London plane trees;

Damaged Yorkstone repaired or replaced;

Steps to the art gallery repaired and cleaned;

New stainless steel bins and new steel and oak seats;

Brick setts in front of library replaced by resin surface;

Cycle racks moved next to chess boards;

Removal of step-up into Victoria Gardens to ease access;

Lights to be installed to illuminate trees;

Planters to be turfed and filled with 2,768 crocus/snowdrop bulbs.

Several trees will stay, including the Italian alder in between the art gallery and the Henry Moore Institute, an oak next to the war memorial and two oaks in front of the library.

The memorial devoted to Victoria Cross recipients and to the Leeds Pals of the First World War will be retained.

A report on the plans, due to be discussed by members of the council's city centre plans panel on Thursday, says the project is funded entirely by Marks & Spencer.

The report urges councillors to approve the scheme this week so that works can start soon and be finished in time for public events later this year.

It says that the space is overdue for improvement works:

"Victoria Gardens has not had any major improvement works for a number of years and the space is looking tired. The proposed refurbishment includes the replacement of damaged Yorkstone paving that will remove the unevenness of the current surface.

"The popular large chess boards will be replaced with two new granite and marble chess boards with further smaller chess boards etched into the stone planters to provide further opportunity for day to day activity in the area."

New bins and seating with significantly enhance the area, says the report.

Another significant benefit will be the creation of level access from the Headrow at four access points in between the tree planters.

At the moment there is a step which makes it awkward for those with eyesight problems and those in wheelchairs.

The report adds: "The great strength of the current proposal is to create a formal continuity of the 19th century composition of the municipal buildings and thereby create a scheme for a 'space within a space' with Cookridge Street, the Headrow and Calverley Street being the outer space.

"These spaces contain two axes, the Art Gallery Door axis (part of the 1930s Civic proposals) and the War Memorial and Joseph Beuys oak axis.

"The outer space will be seen below the proposed 'boxed' trees and is considered to be a very elegant device to achieve this."

It concludes: "The proposed refurbishment of this important, but tired, civic space will significantly enhance the surfacing and other fixtures and features within Victoria Gardens to provide an area that can be enjoyed and accessed by all.

"The removal of the mixed variety of trees will permit the introduction of more trees of a common species and formal appearance and layout to clearly define the space."

The report calls on the councillors to back the plans, adding: "The proposed refurbishment has a limited time as to when it can be introduced, therefore members are requested to approve the scheme and permit works to be completed...later this year."