'Dynamic' plans for multiple towers in Birmingham could 'transform' land

Those behind the proposals want to build a mixed-use development, consisting of apartments, student accommodation and a hotel, on the site of the former Axis Building on Holliday Street.

There would be five buildings in total, including a 49-storey residential tower, if the scheme went ahead.

Planning documents say the development could become a “beautiful gateway” in the heart of Birmingham and create a “vibrant, lively atmosphere” on the site, which is now a cleared plot of land.

Buildings one and two would be residential towers, 49 and 39 storeys, and comprise 868 residential units across them both.

The student residential tower is proposed to be 29 storeys and provide 720 bedspaces as well as a food hall at lower levels.

The fourth building would be used as a hotel with 229 serviced apartments while the fifth, a residential building, would deliver 122 apartments across ten storeys.

These buildings would be sat around a public square, which a council report said would be a “significant public realm improvement”.

But a number of concerns were raised at a planning committee meeting this week, with Coun Philip Davis saying he was worried about the impact on historic buildings nearby.

He also argued that the council doesn’t have a ‘tall buildings policy’, adding: “What we’re seeing is the incremental transformation of the city into a city of tall towers.

“But we’re in a grey area – we don’t have a view, we’re just allowing it to happen.

“If we want to go in the New York direction – then let’s have a debate about it.

“But if we don’t, that should be considered as well. We need to have some view on this.”

Coun Colin Green meanwhile was frustrated by the proposed housing mix, which was 45.6 per cent one-bed, 51.4 per cent two-bed and three per cent three-bed.

“What we’ve got here is a very tall building full of one-bedroom flats that doesn’t meet the city’s housing needs,” he said. “We already have enough [one-bedroom flats].”

But Coun Lee Marsharm, chair of the planning committee, spoke positively about the proposed scheme, saying it would provide “lots of housing which this city needs”.

On concerns over heritage, he went on to remind the committee that Historic England had not objected to the plans.

Nick Jackson, area planning manager at the council, said the housing mix was overall in favour of two and three-bed homes and noted there was a “deliverability factor” as well.

“We have to make best use of these sites and that’s why we see tall buildings in the city centre,” he said.

He added the council already has guidance when it comes to tall buildings which takes into account relationships with existing landmarks; presence within existing views; impact on surrounding heritage and more.

A council officer’s report, published prior to the meeting, did acknowledge that ‘significant adverse visual effects’ could possibly be experienced from Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square.

But it added: “The Heritage Assessment (HA) highlights that in views from these areas, the proposed development would be viewed in combination with an existing backdrop of modern and tall development, which already influences the setting of the conservation areas.

“Overall, it is concluded in the HA that the proposed development, whilst visible in some views, would maintain the significance of the conservation areas.”

It also concluded that with mitigation and proposed conditions, ‘significant adverse environmental effects’ do not warrant refusal.

Ultimately the committee decided to defer a decision on the proposals following the concerns raised in the meeting.