PLANS to give Manchester’s Stevenson Square a green makeover have been unveiled – and local businesses are being asked help out to support the project.
We hope to see many more innovative projects like this around the city in the near future
Local environmental regeneration project Red Rose Forest wants to transform the square in the Northern Quarter.
A blueprint has been put together which proposes landmark street trees planted, alongside hanging baskets and a ‘green roof’ made of edible herbs and fruit planted on top of a disused public convenience.
The project has already received support from Manchester City Council who will be donating funding and works towards the project. Alongside this, Greenbuild Expo, the sustainability conference held in Manchester will also be raising funds for the project at the Expo and Greenbuild Awards held in the city on 8-9 May.
Greenbuild will provide technical support by providing the expertise of green roof specialist company Enviroden.
To turn its vision into reality, Red Rose Forest is looking to the local community and businesses to raise the final £6,000 needed.
And it hopes to use an innovative internet-based funding tool – crowdfunding – to raise the cash.
Local businesses, or individuals, who want to support the project are being asked to visit here and make whatever donation they can to support the project.
If funding is secured it’s hoped the greening initiative can be delivered by this summer.
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s city centre spokesperson, said: There has been an appetite to develop Stevenson Square for some time as one of the city’s most historic and underused squares. The potential to make the area an exciting destination is undeniable and we hope the greening scheme will increase footfall to the benefit of the many and varied businesses trading on the square.”
Stevenson Square as it is now
Under the plans it is proposed that liquidambar trees will be planted in the pavement and in the square’s central reservations in a reinstated surface material, which is made from recycled tyres. It is porous allowing the trees to receive oxygen and water. This is being supplied by KBI.
To complement the square’s existing art works the disused toilet block building will be given a green makeover. A green roof will be installed on the roof of the toilets and planted up with edible plants chosen by local residents and businesses. Self-irrigating hanging baskets on lampposts will complete the transformation.
Residents group New Leaf (Twitter here) is keen to support the project. Resident Beth Knowles said: “The obvious lack of green space on Stevenson Square was one of the main reasons we first got together as a resident-led group, so it's extremely exciting to be a part of this project and to help raise the final funds needed to complete the greening of Stevenson Square. We hope to see many more innovative projects like this around the city in the near future."
Confidential has an article going up next week about how maybe given the economic times businesses and individuals need to be more self-reliant in making sure their streets and areas look good - and not always look to the city council.
Below is a video produced by the Stevenson Square campaigners.
