Plans for Birmingham's second tallest skyscraper set for approval

Birmingham City Council’s planning committee previously approved Court Collaboration’s application for the 51-storey One Eastside building, subject to Historic England raising no objection.

The £160 million development, on the former college and university campus site at Jennens Road and James Watt Queensway, is also set to include a 15-16 storey tower and separate pavilion building.

The “luxury” skyscraper would be taller than the BT Tower, although it will take second place to the planned Broad Street 100 as the city’s tallest building.

The council has now received comments from Historic England, which express concerns on heritage grounds despite raising no formal objection.

Historic England stated the impact on historic buildings in the city had not been considered over a wide enough area and the townscape and visual impact assessment was “insufficient”.

But the developer has defended its built heritage statement and townscape and visual impact assessment.

And a report to the planning committee states officers do not think Historic England’s comments should alter the previous recommendation for approval.

The officers repeat their recommendation for the scheme to be approved subject to a legal agreement being reach to secure a financial contribution towards affordable housing.

Increase

A total of 20 of the scheme’s 667 apartments are planned to be affordable housing, which has previously been described as “appalling” by committee member Councillor Lou Robson.

Birmingham Airport had previously objected on the basis that construction cranes could pose a danger to planes flying on a newly established flight path.

But the planning documents now state Birmingham Airport has agreed to increase the circling height for aircraft, and has removed its objection.

The report from planning officer Joanne Todd states: “The application is not within a conservation area and there are no designated heritage assets within the site boundary.

“Historic England were notified only because, in the Local Planning Authority’s opinion, it could affect the setting of Grade I or Grade II* heritage assets (namely Curzon Street Station – Grade I and the Central Methodist Hall – Grade II*).

“However, officers consider that these assets, along with others, have been robustly assessed within the applicant’s supporting information and conclude that the proposed development would lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of these assets.

“Therefore, whilst noting Historic England’s comments, your officers do not consider this changes the advice to your committee with which you previously concurred.”

The council’s planning committee will consider the application at on online meeting on April 23.

By Local Democracy Reporter Mark Cardwell