Former Birmingham factory to become apartment block

Plans to add five storeys to 55 Holloway Head, a largely vacant city centre block known as Lee Bank House, were considered at a council planning meeting yesterday.

Under the proposals put forward by developers, the building will then be 12 storeys high and converted to provide 215 apartments to the city.

Permission was also being sought to build nine townhouses as part of the plans.

The site was originally designed and built in the 1950s as a flatted factory for industrial use but a wide variety of uses have been introduced over time, such as the introduction of workshops, offices and training facilities.

Councillor Lee Marsham, chair of the planning committee, welcomed the plans today and said the financial contribution of £875k towards off-site affordable housing could help families in need.

“This is one of the better applications we’ve seen if you look at the current state of the building and the rending of what’s proposed,” he said.

“What’s also encouraging is that it’s townhouses as well, it’s good to have those in the city centre.”

He continued: “I know it’s always disappointing when affordability is not available on-site.

“What I would say after we’ve secured an off-site contribution, there are over 25,000 households on the social housing waiting list in Birmingham.

“[There’s] scores of families and children who are stuck in temporary accommodation.

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“Yes we would always like more [money] but if just one family is taken out of those conditions, it’s the right thing to do.”

A council officer’s report previously said the development would bring in several benefits, including housing, street scape improvements and an enhanced biodiversity offer.

“The proposed 215 residential apartments and nine town houses would make a meaningful contribution towards Birmingham’s housing provision and regeneration aspirations,” it said.

“It would create a distinctive place and deliver a financial contribution towards affordable housing.”

It also said that an assessment by independent consultants reached a position of six per cent affordable housing.

“The value of on-site affordable homes is the equivalent of £875k,” the report continued.

“In this instance, it is felt that the financial equivalent should be directed to off-site provision.

“This could be used to purchase market housing to provide homes for those on the council’s housing register.”

The Birmingham planning committee ultimately voted to approve the plans.