Birmingham Student Block Decision Delayed Amid Calls for Change
Plans for new student accommodation in Birmingham face delays due to safety concerns and calls for commercial space on the ground floor
Birmingham, UK, Student Accommodation, Planning, Safety
Birmingham: So, there’s been a bit of a hold-up with those new student blocks in the Gun Quarter. The council was supposed to make a decision, but they decided to push it back after some concerns popped up in a meeting.
The developers want to build two towers—one with eight stories and another with 21—offering 279 beds near the canal. A report from the council said there’s a real need for this kind of housing, especially since it’s close to several campuses.
But during the meeting, some folks raised questions about whether there should be a shop or café on the ground floor. One councillor, David Barker, mentioned that having a retail space could make the area feel safer, especially for students walking around at night.
He pointed out that with so many students living there, a shop would likely be in demand. Coun Jane Jones agreed, saying students would appreciate having a café or something similar right there.
Some feedback in the report said the plans “fail to activate the ground floor.” Without a commercial space, it might not help with safety or make the street feel lively, which could lead to more anti-social behavior.
A council officer explained that it’s a tricky balance when it comes to what can go on the ground floor. They need to fit in things like laundry and bike storage, but those don’t really add to the street life.
She mentioned that in other similar projects, they tried adding commercial units, but they often ended up not being rented out. So now, they’re seeing applications to turn those spaces into more bedrooms instead.
Another councillor, Gareth Moore, chimed in, saying they should really push for active frontages to create safer, more inclusive communities.
The council officer’s report did say the towers are “appropriately designed” for the area and would improve the look of the canal corridor. However, it also noted that the plans might harm some heritage sites nearby, but they felt the benefits outweighed the downsides.
In the end, the committee decided to defer the decision, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see what happens with these plans.