The proposed Birmingham development would provide more than 400 new apartments as well as commercial space for ‘creative local businesses’
A visualisation of the proposed Jewellery Quarter development(Image: Council report)
Major plans for a new development in the heart of Birmingham ’s Jewellery Quarter have been recommended for approval.
Those behind the project are seeking permission to build 422 apartments across four blocks, along with residential courtyards and commercial floorspace.
If approved by planners next week, the development would take shape on land close to Newhall Street and St Paul’s Square.
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A recently-published council report said a previously approved scheme on the site in question is “undeliverable” due to it no longer being financially viable.
It continued that the current proposals could provide “new and meaningful connections within the Jewellery Quarter as well as a significant amount of commercial floorspace”.
This would support the “economic vitality” of the area by providing space for creative, local businesses, the report said.
“The scheme would also contribute towards the city’s ongoing need for new housing by providing high density, high quality one, two and three-bed apartments,” it went on to say.
“The proposed development presents an opportunity to unlock this otherwise unviable site for redevelopment.”
What the proposed Jewellery Quarter development could look like(Image: Council report)
But an objection was received from the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, who described the proposed demolition of two industrial buildings, 123 and 128 Northwood Street, as “unacceptable and unnecessary”.
They argued they are “typical JQ buildings” and key to the conservation area.
The council report acknowledged the concerns and noted that both buildings, which date back to the early 20th century, are “characteristic of the Jewellery Quarter’s industrial history”.
But it continued: “The buildings are proposed to be lost because it is no longer economically viable to retain them.
“The previous scheme sought to retain the two buildings – however, the previous scheme is no longer financially viable and cannot be delivered for this reason.”
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The report therefore said their demolition “presents an opportunity to […] deliver a viable, largely new build scheme.”
It also said the buildings are only considered to “bear local significance and their complete loss would not in itself make the overall scheme substantially harmful.”
“There are enough benefits associated with this proposal to outweigh the limited harms identified,” the report concluded.
Such benefits include the regeneration of an important site; a mix of new housing and ‘radical’ improvements to the connectivity between the Jewellery Quarter and city.
The proposed development was recommended for approval, subject to a legal agreement, and will be considered by the council’s planning committee on Thursday, July 3.