More than 50 homes planned for Jewellery Quarter site

Birmingham City Council’s planning committee is due to rule on an application which would see existing buildings demolished at Camden Street and Powell Street in the conservation area.

The neighbouring buildings which would be removed as part of the plans include warehouse and office spaces, as well as the remains of 19th century “back-to-back” housing on Camden Street.

The plans have come under fire for including five-storey apartment buildings while the limit on building height in the Jewellery Quarter is limited to four storeys.

But the scheme has also been praised for including the refurbishment of Heaton House which dates back to beginning of the Jewellery Quarter and is intended to become a four-bedroom house.

The development proposed by Elevate Property Group would also include 42 apartments in three five-storey buildings and one four-storey building, 14 town houses and a courtyard area.

A 401 square meter commercial floor space is also proposed, which could be available for shop, financial, office or non-residential institution use.

Six apartments are proposed to be affordable, just over ten per cent of the total number of proposed dwellings.

A small car park is proposed offering 15 spaces, while 57 cycle spaces would be provided – equalling one for each household.

Residents of the nearby Altitude Apartments have raised concerns that their balconies would “look onto a high brick wall” and that the development’s height would impact on light and privacy.

The Victorian Society and Historic England raised concerns about the removal of 19th century back-to-back housing on Camden Street which “tell the story” of the development of the area.

Concerns were also raised about the impact of the development on lesser black-backed gulls using the site, and a council ecologist stated it “cannot be discounted” bats and black redstart birds use the site.

As a result, the ecologist suggested making pre-demolition inspections for bats and black redstart birds, and providing nesting boxes and biodiversity roofs to the buildings.

Planning officer Lesley Sheldrake stated: “The proposals would allow the regeneration of this run down site, the provision of viable new uses, restoration of Heaton House in an appropriate setting and erection of high quality new buildings.

“Although objections have been raised by neighbours regarding the building heights, overbearing impact, loss of light and views it is not considered the amenities of adjacent local residents would be affected to an unacceptable degree.

“There would also be no adverse impact on the significance of the Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area or on other listed buildings nearby.”

She recommended the development be approved by councillors subject to conditions including the completion of a Section 106 agreement – the mechanism where a developer makes a contribution to the community.

The online planning committee is due to be held on May 7.