Brindley Drive tower approved

'Just another tall box' - 46-storey tower that will flatten city centre car park wins approval

Tom Cramp - Local Democracy Reporter | Friday 28th April 2023 7:57am

Plans for a 46-storey tower in the city centre have been approved by Birmingham City Council. The Brindley Drive development is spread across two blocks, one 46-storey and one 15-storey, and would replace the council's Paradise Circus Car Park.

Members raised concerns about too many one-bedroom flats in the city centre as well as the building's design, with one calling the tower 'just another tall box'. Ultimately though, the scheme was given the green light.

The two blocks behind Birmingham Library would contain a total of 581 apartments. The taller building is referred to in proposals as 'the Tower', while the shorter one is named 'the Garden Mansion Block'.

Birmingham-based developer Court Collaboration is behind the project. It wants Brindley Drive to feel like 'a green oasis in the middle of a metropolis’ and has set Q4 2026 as a target date for completion.

At a council planning committee meeting today, (April 27) Cllr Gareth Moore (Cons, Erdington) said: “We need to be distinctive with the design of some of the tall buildings – this is just another tall box. We shouldn't just have a city of tall boxes.

“I'm also concerned about the heritage aspects around Baskerville House. I am mindful we have approved the Octagon in very close proximity so whilst this application will produce harm, I don't think it will be any worse than the Octagon in terms of the listed buildings, which are hugely significant.”

Cllr Jack Deakin (Lab, Allens Cross) added: “Once again we have an application that doesn't fit our affordable housing needs. We are going to get into a situation where only those that can afford to live in our city can do so.”

In response to members' comments, a planning officer said it was 'disappointing' the scheme did not meet the council's requirement of 35 per cent affordable housing, offering just 5.3 per cent, but said it compares well with other schemes to arrive at committee. On the design, they said 'not everything can be different'.

The development is within a short walk of major city centre attractions such as Symphony Hall, the ICC, and the Utilita Arena. The Grade II Listed Baskerville House is also very close, currently being used as offices.

Cllr Colin Green (Lib Dems, Sheldon) also said: “I'd like to comment on the fact that we are building more one-bedroom flats in the city centre. It's been said before, the one shortage of housing we don't have in Birmingham is one-bedroom flats in the city centre.

“As this development is co-sponsored by the council, I'm really disappointed. We ought to do better.”

Cllr Lee Marsham (Lab, Nechells) said: “This is a high-quality development on a brownfield site which enhances biodiversity. Its height is similar to that of other developments nearby, and it will provide new homes, although we need more affordable homes and create construction jobs for our city.”

More News Headlines