The proposed Birmingham development would provide five buildings in total – including a 49-storey tower
16:47, 30 Apr 2025Updated 16:48, 30 Apr 2025
An aerial view of the proposed Birmingham city centre development.(Image: Design and access statement prepared by SimpsonHaugh Architects on behalf of Vita Group.)
Major plans to build multiple new towers in the heart of Birmingham have been recommended for approval once again.
Proposals have been lodged for a mixed-use development, consisting of apartments, student accommodation and a hotel, on the site of the former Axis Building on Holliday Street.
There would be five buildings in total, including a 49-storey residential tower, if the scheme went ahead.
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Those behind the project have said the development could become a “dynamic new destination” in Birmingham city centre and create a “vibrant, lively atmosphere” on the site, which is now a cleared plot of land.
But a number of concerns were raised at a planning committee meeting earlier this month, with Coun Philip Davis saying he was worried about the impact on historic buildings nearby.
He also argued that the council doesn’t have a ‘tall buildings policy’, adding: “What we’re seeing is the incremental transformation of the city into a city of tall towers.
“If we want to go in the New York direction – then let’s have a debate about it.”
Coun Colin Green meanwhile was frustrated by the proposed housing mix, saying: “What we’ve got here is a very tall building full of one-bedroom flats that doesn’t meet the city’s housing needs.
“We already have enough [one-bedroom flats].”
CGI of the proposed Birmingham city centre development.(Image: Design and access statement prepared by SimpsonHaugh Architects on behalf of Vita Group.)
An update, issued ahead of next week’s planning meeting, said it was council officers’ view that the housing mix can be supported in the ‘inner central area’.
It also said that changes are proposed to building five, which would provide 122 homes, to be a “for sale” residential building, rather than build to rent.
“Of the three residential buildings proposed, building five offers the most opportunity for families to be accommodated in larger units,” it continued. “[It is] therefore considered a positive change made to address concerns of the committee.”
On other worries raised earlier this month, the update said: “The proposed design of the individual buildings and associated landscaping and public realm is considered to be of high quality and the site suitable for tall buildings.
“There is some harm identified to heritage assets but this is not significant.
“When weighed against the benefits of the proposal set out, the identified harm does not warrant refusal of the application.”
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The proposals were therefore recommended for approval again and will be considered at the meeting on Thursday, May 8.
Buildings one and two of the proposed scheme would be residential towers, 49 and 39 storeys, and comprise 868 residential units across them both.
The student residential tower is proposed to be 29 storeys and provide 720 bedspaces as well as a food hall at lower levels.
The fourth building would be used as a hotel with 229 serviced apartments while the fifth, a residential building, would deliver 122 homes across ten storeys.
These buildings would be sat around a public square, which a council report said would be a “significant public realm improvement”.
Birmingham City Council House in Victoria Square(Image: Alexander Brock)
Coun Lee Marsham, chair of the planning committee, spoke positively about the proposed scheme earlier this month, saying it would provide “lots of housing which this city needs”.
On concerns over heritage, he went on to remind the committee that Historic England had not objected to the plans.
Nick Jackson, area planning manager at the council, also highlighted how the housing mix was overall in favour of two and three-bed homes and noted there was a “deliverability factor” as well.
“We have to make best use of these sites and that’s why we see tall buildings in the city centre,” he said.
He added the council already has guidance when it comes to tall buildings which takes into account relationships with existing landmarks; presence within existing views; impact on surrounding heritage and more.