Proposals for university student blocks in Birmingham city centre take step forward

Major plans for new student accommodation blocks in the heart of the city centre have taken an important step forward. The proposals are seeking permission for the demolition of all existing student accommodation on site and the erection of two new buildings on land near where the emerging Octagon tower is being built.

The two blocks, one of 35 storeys and another of 15 storeys, would provide 1,205 student bed spaces between them for University College Birmingham (UCB) if approved. Cambrian Hall, the university’s current halls of residence on the site near Parade, currently provides 247 bed spaces while The Maltings off Bath Row offers 827.

“UCB wish to combine both student accommodation sites into one purpose-built development,” a council officer’s report says. “If built, operation at the Maltings would cease (secured through a legal agreement).

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“Therefore, the proposed development would lead to an overall net increase of 131 student bed spaces available for occupation by UCB, all located on one city centre site". The planning application is now set to be considered by Birmingham City Council (BCC) later this week.

Several consultees, such as BCC City Design and the Environment Agency, had no objections subject to conditions. However, the Canal and River Trust were concerned by the plans, saying the proposed development could create an “overbearing visual impact” and cause harm to the existing character of the canal corridor.

However, the recently-published report states: “The canal itself has been assessed in the Heritage Assessment (HA) as a non-designated heritage asset, where it notes that the surroundings of the canal have changed considerably over time". It goes on to say that it is now experienced as part of a “mixed and fragmented townscape” but retains its “functional and industrial character”.

“The conclusions reached in the HA are that while the proposed development would introduce further change into the setting of the asset, this would not impact on the ability to appreciate the historical interest of the asset and its significance would be sustained,” it said. Summing up why the proposals had been recommended for approval, subject to the completion of a legal agreement, the report said they would see the delivery of a “high-quality development” in a sustainable location on brownfield land.

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“The proposed scheme would make a meaningful contribution towards Birmingham’s housing shortfall, purpose-built student accommodation demand and contribute towards the regeneration aspirations for this part of the city centre,” it said. “It would create a distinctive place and allow for the growth of an established city centre educational establishment.

“The scheme would also provide economic, social and environmental benefits". The proposed development will be considered at the planning committee meeting at Thursday, July 11.

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