City centre plans for ‘bold’ skyscraper pushed back

Proposals were previously lodged for three buildings, including a huge 41-storey tower, on land at Bristol Street, Bromsgrove Street and Essex Street.

According to the plans, which had been recommended for approval, the proposed development would provide 550 build-to-rent homes in total, with 5.6 per cent of those affordable housing (31 units).

The Birmingham Fair Housing Campaign took issue with the number of affordable homes however, arguing it “does not meet the needs of those who most desperately need housing in our city.”

The city council usually seeks 35 per cent affordable homes in large developments.

Concerns over the scheme were raised in a recent planning committee meeting too, with Councillor Philip Davis describing the percentage of affordable housing as “extremely low”.

Councillor Colin Green also expressed worries over the proposed development and told the meeting: “I would like to object on the basis of the housing mix.

“Again, we have a large development that has a proportion of one-bedroom flats that’s almost half of what’s being built.

“My concern is we’re overdeveloping the city centre with one-bedroom flats that are just not needed and it’s a problem that will last 100 years after we’ve made the decision.”

“The mix is poor and it’s not a decision that will be reserved in a week, a year, a decade,” Councillor David Barker added.

Responding to such concerns, area planning manager Nick Jackson told the meeting: “In terms of affordability, we’ve gone through the policy test, they’ve demonstrated that it’s not viable and it’s been independently assessed.”

On the housing mix, he said the proposed development was “not out of kilter” with other schemes and added it compares “slightly more favourably”.

A council officer’s report, published prior to the meeting, acknowledges it would be “preferable to see more large units incorporated into the housing mix”.

It went on to add: “Nonetheless, the proposed mix can be supported in a city centre location, on a site of this character given that the proposal adds to the mix available of housing across the city as a whole.”

The design of the scheme was also particularly praised in the report, with Birmingham City Council Leisure Services describing the architectural style as “refreshingly bold and unique”.

But it also noted that the development, if approved, could cause low levels of harm to a number of ‘designated heritage assets’ in the area – including The Rotunda and St. Martin’s Church.

It also described the potential harm to the nearby Wellington Hotel as a “moderate level” but “less than substantial”.

“However, in my view, I consider there are enough benefits associated with this proposal to outweigh the heritage harm, with particular reference to the delivery of homes and affordable homes,” the report stated.

On other buildings in Bristol Street which would be completely or partly lost if the development is given the green light, it added: “Taking a balanced judgement, I do not consider the high level of harm (complete loss) of the non-designated heritage assets, to outweigh the identified significant public benefits of the proposal given their limited heritage value.”

The provision of housing, temporary construction jobs and an enhanced “ecological and biodiversity offer” were among the potential benefits highlighted in the report.

It went on to say: “The proposed development would see the delivery of a high-quality residential-led development, in a sustainable location on brownfield land.

“The proposed 550 residential units would make a meaningful contribution towards Birmingham’s housing provision and the regeneration aspirations for this part of the city centre.”

Birmingham Fair Housing Campaign said it was “very happy” that the council’s planning committee agreed to defer a decision on the planning application on Thursday.