Lendlease gets green light for BTR scheme in Birmigham

Lendlease has received the green light from Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee for a 408-unit BTR scheme, the first phase of a £1.9 billion regeneration project at Birmingham Smithfield.

“We’re delighted to have achieved full planning approval for our first phase of much needed new homes alongside spaces that support health and wellbeing and the local community”, said Selena Mason, Director of Masterplanning for Birmingham Smithfield, Lendlease. “This is a key milestone that will kick-start the delivery of 3,000 homes for England’s second city – creating jobs, wider opportunities and making Birmingham an even better, lively and welcoming place for people to live and work.”

The new 13-storey building, designed by Bell Phillips and local practice Intervention Architecture, will overlook Manor Square, near New Street station in the city centre, and provide 408 high-quality build-to-rent homes.

As the first residential element of Smithfield Birmingham’s regeneration, it will also feature a health and wellbeing-inspired leisure facility, along with a mix of shops, bars and restaurants for the public to enjoy. The top floor will have a communal rooftop garden and pavilion.

The architects said the scheme, which uses an ‘industrial’ red and brown material palette from the Smithfield Design Code, aims to respond to the local context and “provide a sense of retreat and home whilst still embracing the lively 24-hour nature of the site.”

Outline plans for the 17-hectare Smithfield Birmingham site were unanimously approved by Birmingham City Council in June last year. As well as over 3,000 homes the plans will also provide cultural and leisure attractions as well as new offices and workspace for businesses.

Birmingham’s historic Bull Ring Markets, which have been on the site for 800 years, will remain at the heart of these plans and will be housed in two new buildings.

Designed with a focus on high-quality architecture, landscape, and public spaces, Smithfield Birmingham will create up to 9,000 new jobs and deliver significant economic benefits to the city and wider West Midlands region whilst preserving the rich local heritage, particularly the historic markets, which have existed for over 800 years, Lendlease said.