Birmingham BTR scheme expands to more than 500 apartments
Plans for a £150m Birmingham residential development have moved forward – after the city council’s planning committee agreed to increase the number of units on the scheme.
New plans for Neighbourhood, a new build-to-rent scheme proposed by HBD for a 2.6 acre site in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, will now comprise more than 500 apartments, and a range of amenities for residents including a winter garden, a gym and dedicated work from home space.
Planning approval was granted in 2022 for a scheme of 414 apartments on the site, a former car dealership.
But a variation to planning permission secured last week will see an additional storey added to four of five of the new buildings set for Newhall Hill and Camden Street, and will alter the unit mix to deliver more one-bed apartments, taking the total number of units to 504.
The proposals had been recommended for approval by the city council’s planning officers, who said the planned residential units would make a “meaningful contribution towards Birmingham’s housing provision and the regeneration aspirations for this part of the City Centre.”
“It would create a distinctive place and deliver a contribution towards affordable housing, in accordance with local and national policies. The scheme would also provide economic, social and environmental benefits,” the officer’s report said.
A total of 24 objections were raised to the amended plans, mostly concerned with a loss of light and privacy, as well as several letters of support for a scheme to transform the “eyesore” former commercial site.
Meanwhile HBD says the site will transform a key gateway into the Jewellery Quarter, adding that Neighbourhood will be a “best-in-class sustainable development”.
“Neighbourhood is an exciting new scheme for Birmingham; it embraces sustainability and modern design while respecting the history of the Jewellery Quarter and its heritage assets,” said Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD.
“We’re pleased to have secured these planning amendments, which will improve the development while maintaining viability and deliverability.”
HBD completed the 102-apartment Setl scheme in Birmingham city centre last year, which it says is already more than 90% sold.
Plans and documents relating to the application can be viewed on Birmingham City Council’s planning portal under reference 2025/02987/PA.
