Plans to turn a notorious drug den in the Northern Quarter into a 'Parisian-style' garden have been approved.
The area on Dale Street outside Chapter One Books cafe has long been associated with drug-taking, rough-sleeping and general anti-social behaviour.
There are currently a number of bushes, trees, and flower beds that are often littered with drug paraphernalia and tents, making it an intimidating atmosphere for people using the coffee shop.
Police have made repeated attempts to address the issue, at one point clearing out an encampment after several people were spotted injecting drugs.
But the area's seclusion and proximity to the city centre continues to attract problems.
Now Chapter One Books is set to transform the 4,000 sq ft plot of land beyond all recognition.
A planning application for a change of use into a gardens with a Victorian glass house has been approved.
CGI images provided by designers PEN Studios show a 'Parisian-style gardens' with extensive plants, trees that could potentially host a florist, and a children's play area.
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There is also new outdoor seating for around 80 people.
The area will have entrances from both Lever Street and Spear Street and will be open to the public from Monday to Sunday, 10am to 11pm.
New wrought-iron fencing and lighting will provide added security.
The proposal was enthusiastically supported by Greater Manchester Police.
PC Andrew Costello said in the application: "As an organisation we wholeheartedly support the proposed redesign of the area, which I personally feel will add much needed vibrancy to the area and is in keeping with the ethos of the Northern Quarter as a whole."
Planners at Manchester city council have approved the application under a number of conditions which include that no amplified music is played in the external seating area at any time, and that external furniture which is not fixed securely to the floor is stored within the cafe.
It is hoped work will begin as soon as possible.
Sakib Ahmed, director of PEN Studios, told the Manchester Evening News earlier this year: "It will be quite a unique place, in the city centre there's no other space like this.
"We met with residents and we've had a lot of positive feedback.
"The police support the design because there's a lot of drug sellers in the area at the moment."
It comes amid an increasingly fractious debate in the city centre about a perceived lack of green space.
Manchester Council's plans to build a temporary, 440-space car park on Great Ancoats Street has been met with fierce opposition, as have plans to build on a strip of green by the New Islington tram stop.
