Campaign against 30-storey Digbeth tower
Plans for a 30-storey tower development in Digbeth will ‘cast a dark’ cloud over the area and drive out its creative talent, warn campaigners who are trying to stop it happening.
Traders and residents based in and around the Custard Factory are lobbying against Court Collaboration’s planning application for the Stone Yard.
The mixed-use scheme, which would be built on the Bull Ring Trading Estate site opposite, features a number of buildings ranging from six to 30 storeys in height, providing 928 homes and nearly 11,000 square foot of flexible amenity, retail or leisure space.
Hundreds of people have backed the ‘Digbeth Deserves Better’ campaign which launched after the plans were lodged in September, with little to no consultation with those based in the area they claimed. The group argues the sheer scale of Stone Yard, particularly its tallest tower, will overshadow and dwarf iconic buildings such as Devonshire House, the 651-year-old Old Crown pub as well as the entire Digbeth conservation area.
They also claimed the plans are ‘poorly’ designed, lack affordable housing and parking whilst there is widespread concern that the developers have not properly considered Digbeth’s popular night-time venues.
But the campaigners are keen to stress that they welcome the idea of residential development on the site to drive footfall and help sustain Digbeth, providing it is of appropriate design and scale.
One of the main objectors is Bennie Gray, former owner and developer of the Custard Factory and current owner of Devonshire House.
He explained his vision for the Custard Factory around 30 years ago was to turn it into ‘Birmingham’s missing creative quarter’ but he warned Digbeth could now become the next Covent Garden in London where he claims the area’s artists and young entrepreneurs were driven out decades ago as it became very corporate.
Mr Gray said: “It would be such a tragedy if all of the interest and energy and creativity and the unpredictability and the texture which has been generated by the Custard Factory and other people in Digbeth over the last 20 years, were to be allowed to turn into just a corporate business with spiralling, soaring land values, as a result of which the people who created the interest in the first place are going to be edged out.”
He went on saying the Stone Yard could be ‘an element in that process’ and added: “What still has the potential to be a very distinctive, attractive, historic, creative quarter will have its mojo stolen if this sort of thing goes on.
“This is a very strong example of exactly what we don’t need. It will cast a dark cloud.”
There are also widespread fears among well-known venues such as Digbeth Dining Club, The Spotted Dog, O2 Institute and Ghetto Golf that Court Collaboration has not carried out thorough sound testing in the area.
Jack Brabrant, co-founder of Digbeth Dining Club, said: “It has undertook poor sound tests which will hamper lots of businesses that add to area’s night-time economy.
“More thought needs to be given to developers’ permissions who are potentially ruining what the area stands for.”
In planning documents the scheme’s architects Glancy Nicholls state that the Stone Yard will provide a ‘complementary counterpart to the vibrant employment and leisure offer at the Custard Factory’.
They also pointed out – using a number of CGIs and graphics – that other developments have been permitted by the city council in Digbeth of similar height including the 24/25-storey Lunar Rise and 27/28-storey Connaught Square schemes.
In response to campaigners’ criticisms Anthony McCourt, CEO and founder of Court Collaboration, said: “We’re really excited by this development and what it can do, both for Digbeth and the southern gateway to the city.
“As well as stunning new homes to rent, we’re proposing leisure and retail uses, open spaces and features to encourage greener travel, all complementing the existing local offer and future aspirations for the area.
“We will continue to work closely with Birmingham City Council as our plans progress and we’re always available to discuss our proposals with local groups or stakeholders.”
Birmingham City Council’s planning committee will likely make a decision on the scheme in the new year.
