Plans to redevelop plot of land in Birmingham’s blossoming creative quarter approved

Permission is being sought to transform a plot of land next to the high street into the proposed Phoenix Yard development.

Those behind the proposals say the scheme could become a “key gateway” into the Digbeth area, which has gained a reputation in recent years as Birmingham’s blossoming creative quarter.

The application site is an important location in the city, opposite the massive Smithfield scheme and close to HS2 Curzon Street Station, the BBC Typhoo Tea Factory and more.

Developers want to build two blocks, one up to six storeys and another up to four storeys, which are proposed to be used for commercial and education purposes.

Meanwhile outline planning permission is sought for up to 205 residential units, up to 576 student bedspaces, up to 228 co-living private bedrooms and up to 450 hotel rooms across two other blocks.

“The proposals seek to secure permission for any combination of these uses,” a council officer’s report said.

The report, published ahead of a council planning meeting this week, continued that the proposed development includes a “generous amount of public realm”.

“The intersection between the two routes proposed would serve as a ‘central square’ of activity and a space for social interaction and cohesion,” it said.

An ‘amenity lawn’, rooftop terraces and a resident’s park have also been proposed.

The council officer went on to name several benefits that the scheme could bring, including homes and commercial floorspace being provided, the potential delivery of a hotel, high-quality ‘public realm’ and the reuse of brownfield land.

But they also highlighted a number of issues such as loss of employment land and ‘less than substantial harm’ to the conservation area covering Digbeth high street.

Addressing these ‘harms’, the officer wrote: “I attribute only limited weight to those identified.

“This is because the harm to designated heritage assets would be at the lowest end of ‘less than substantial harm’ and the heritage benefits of the scheme carry greater weight.

“The application site has also been identified […] for uses other than employment.”

All existing buildings on the application site would be bulldozed except for Smithfield Garage, which would be demolished in part and refurbished.

The plans were recommended for approval, subject to a legal agreement, and will be considered at the planning meeting on Thursday, November 20.