Way ahead cleared for HS2 station public realm

Updated designs for the spaces that will welcome high-speed railway passengers arriving in Birmingham have been unanimously greenlit by councillors.

This morning’s Birmingham City Council planning committee considered proposals for the land bounded by Curzon Street, Eastside Park and Moor Street Queensway, with officer recommendation being to approve.

Little time was needed to sign off what Cllr Phillip Davis called a “good set of proposals”.

Arcadis and WSP are working with the applicant, HS2 Ltd and Mace Dragados, on the application. Although the station project is fully  consented, certain elements require further detailed permissions, as set out in Schedule 17 of the HS2 Act, while further amendments have been made as the project picks up pace.

Green spaces and tram links are part of the picture. Credit: planning documents

The application that went before members effectively combines two previous public realm schemes, both of which were granted consent in 2020. However, as set out in the officer report, “since the original Schedule 17 approvals were secured, a number of refinements and updates have been made to the urban realm design.

“These reflect the ongoing evolution of the station and its surroundings, informed by continued discussions with Birmingham City Council officers to enhance the layout, character areas, and overall usability of the space for all station users.

Curzon Promenade will be a green link. Credit: planning documents

“A key driver for the updated design is the need to maintain and strengthen connections across this part of the city, ensuring that the economic benefits of the new high‑speed rail link support regeneration both locally and more widely.”

Main changes to the existing consent include:

• Updates to urban realm walls and planting within Station Square
• Realignment of the Station Square Steps and updates to Paternoster
• Revised layout and levels along Curzon Promenade
• Updated interface between Curzon Promenade and the Midland Metro
• A redefined movement strategy
• Updated design for Curzon Square
• Revisions to the southern route to accommodate servicing and cycling
• Updated design for the southern entrance to the Eastern concourse
• Amendments to the Eastern arrival space and car park
• Updates to the interface between Old Curzon Street Station and the Eastern concourse
• Design changes to facilitate servicing of business on Curzon Street and the exclusion of land identified for future commercialisation
• Revised design proposals for the environmental mitigation zone to ensure the protection of the roundhouse.

The main elements of the public realm around Curzon Street station include:

Station Square, the primary arrival point to the front of the station fronting Moor Street Queensway

Curzon Promenade, a multifunctional green infrastructure link addressing a gap in level between Moor Street Queensway and Eastside City Park, it will be parallel to bus and tram routes.

Curzon Square and New Canal Street Square, two large spaces merging to form a large-scale paved city square.

Old Curzon Street Square Gardens, a garden square proposed east of the station.

Paternoster Place, a critical connecting point to the Digbeth side of the station, and requiring a high-quaslity main entrance – it is intended to provide an inclusive route to Station Square.

Curzon Street and eastern arrival space, parking and drop-off area beneath the station viaduct.

Southern entrance and service route, completely remodelled in the station’s 2024 redesign.

The design & access statement submitted details how the public realm design, as well as fitting the new station transport infrastructure into the existing urban fabric, will link to proposed development zones both to the west and east of the station.

Documents relating to the public realm application can be viewed on BCC’s planning portal, reference 2026/00907/PA.

Old Curzon Street Square Gardens is one of the feature areas. Credit: planning documents