An earlier artist impression of the scheme

CLERKENWELL Green is finally set for a major revamp after years of planning.

The historic square, the scene of the Artful Dodger’s thieving in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, is set to become pedestrianised with the removal of 43 car spaces and the closure of the roads currently running through it.

In keeping with the creation of a new public square, there will be four new benches along with the laying of York stone and granite paving. Seven new trees will also be planted alongside new planters.

A much-campaigned on statue of suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst is part of a separate planning application, lodged with the council by the Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Committee. It is currently under review.

Work is due to start in February, following some final-stage consultation on the scheme. A consultation carried out five years ago was overwhelmingly in support of the remodel.