The Edgbaston Street Gardens project is due for construction from 2028The project will include up to 745 apartments or 1,544 student rooms, or a blend of the two at the site of the Birmingham’s Bull Ring Indoor Market(Image: Hammerson)

Scores of BirminghamLive readers have branded a new city centre development ‘soulless.’

The Edgbaston Street Gardens project will be at the site of Birmingham’s historic Bull Ring Indoor Market.

BirminghamLive yesterday revealed the first look of the site – which will include up to 745 apartments or 1,544 student rooms, or a blend of the two – through new CGI viewpoints.

READ MORE: First look at Edgbaston Street Gardens plan to transform Bull Ring Indoor Market site

But the response has been largely negative with some believing the city should be preserving its historic and cultural sites. Others said it will cause “density and congestion” issues and that Birmingham needs “proper housing stock with gardens and parking – not apartments”.

One posted: “Great cram more residences inside the inner city ring… more people…. More people concentration.

“More density and congestion…. More parking may be required…. More services and amenities which will be unavailable.”

CGI of the new Edgbaston Street Gardens project in the city centre(Image: Hammerson)

Another said: “We don’t need any more apartments – there are already tens of thousands of them in Birmingham city centre, we need proper housing stock with gardens and parking not shoe boxes that are built to rent only.

“The markets should stay where they are, very central and convenient for shoppers.”

Developers Hammerson’s plan had been unanimously turned down by planners in July. But the ‘Edgbaston Street Gardens’ project was given the green light after Bullring owner Hammerson successfully appealed the city council decision.

Hammerson has now announced the strategic plans for the regeneration through the redevelopment of an underutilised car park.

It has worked in coordination with local stakeholders to grant an extended lease of the indoor market until late 2027. This it said would allow time to consolidate the markets to a new single, purpose-built market.

Detailed plans will be determined ahead of the start of demolition in late 2027 and a potential construction from 2028 onwards..

Other comments underneath the article read: “Looks like a haven for the homeless, rough sleepers and drug users. awful.

“Anyone remember houses with gardens that people could buy maybe, not rent? This country is becoming endless rectangular, soulless flats & apartments that nobody wants.”

Another said: “The city centre is not worth visiting anymore…it has lost its soul.”

But another diagreed: “What!? It’s full of life! Great bars and restaurants, theatres music venues… get out more!”

One user added: “How about a tiny fraction of those multi millions of investment in this latest concrete high-rise jungle being used to re-develop the heritage buildings at the adjacent Station street?

“The city needs to preserve its historic, cultural sites with the iconic Crown pub the priority that so many Brummies and Black Sabbath fans want to see preserved as a permanent tribute to Ozzy and the birthplace of the heavy metal music legacy.”