Warning over Digbeth ‘dead zone’

The site at the corner of Moseley Street and Alcester Street currently contains commercial buildings which are home to businesses including Eyre & Elliston electrical distributors.

A planning application recommended for approval by officers suggests demolishing the existing buildings and putting in place an apartment development reaching six and seven storeys in height.

The plans, put forward by Euro Property Investment Ltd, will be considered by councillors at a Birmingham City Council planning committee online meeting on July 16.

The flats, designed by Yeme Architects, would cater for a mix of one person, two person, three person, four person and four person duplex arrangements.

Plans include provision for the storage of 188 cycles and 19 cars on the lower ground floor at Moseley Street.

One letter of objection was received from a member of public, which makes reference to the Rea Valley Urban Quarter supplementary planning document (SPD).

The plan seeks to establish a linear park/green space the length of Moseley Street linking the Smithfield redevelopment in the city centre with Highgate Park, south of the proposed apartments.

The letter states: “Given the Rea Valley Masterplan’s desire to incorporate a green corridor to the south of the proposal site, would this not be an ideal opportunity to include some?

“The area will have no vibrancy and no life at street level? The area risks becoming a dangerous dead zone.

“Amenity space would make it a more interesting place to live and visit, as well as an exciting, useable and safe place.”

The letter is also critical of the number of applications for residential development in the area at the expense of ground floor commercial activity.

The plan was largely not opposed by organisations responding to the consultation, although leisure services said a contribution should be paid towards public open space.

A report to councillors by officers states “the proposal would not prejudice the ability to deliver the aspirational transformation of Moseley Street to form a pedestrianised ‘park link’ in the future should proposals come forward”.

The officers’ report states: “The proposed siting, layout, massing and design of the proposed development is considered to be appropriate to its context providing an uplifted and attractive frontages to both Moseley Street and Alcester Street.

“There would be no harm to the setting of heritage assets, notably the listed Rowton Hotel that lies opposite the application site.

“It is therefore considered on balance that the proposed development should be approved subject to conditions and the S106 Agreement to secure the provision of affordable housing on site.”

The report suggests a requirement is drawn up for 13 affordable flats – 10 per cent of the total.

The application will be considered by councillors at the meeting from 11am on July 16, which can be viewed on the council’s website: civico.net/birmingham