Plans backed for 422 flats in Jewellery Quarter

National World - LocalTV

A controversial plan for more than 400 flats in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter has been recommended for approval. The development would replace two historic buildings, prompting objections from heritage groups. Supporters say the scheme could boost the local economy and address housing shortages.

Transcript

00:00A development first proposed years ago then shelved as costs spiralled it's back and this

00:08time it's bigger denser and arguably more divisive. If councillors agree four apartment

00:14blocks totalling 422 flats will soon rise from this corner of the jewellery quarter.

00:19It's a new take on an old site. The original scheme fell through when it stopped making

00:25financial sense. This version is stripped back, function over form, but it unlocks a prime

00:30location that sat idle for too long. The current plan includes one, two and three bed homes,

00:37ground floor commercial units and shared courtyard spaces. The council says it'll create meaningful

00:43links between St Paul's Square and Newhall Street, helping support jobs, housing and independent

00:49businesses. They're pitching it as a win for local creatives and the wider economy,

00:54an area reborn with mixed use purpose. But two buildings in the way, 123 and 128

01:01Northwood Street have drawn criticism. The jewellery quarter development trust says

01:06their examples of typical early 20th century JQ architecture and deserve protection. Both

01:12sit within the conservation area. The council acknowledges their loss but says keeping them

01:17would sink the scheme altogether just as it did last time. In short, no demolition means no development.

01:24So it comes down to a familiar trade-off, knock down the old or leave the land dormant.

01:29For planners, it's about housing numbers and economic gain. For heritage advocates,

01:33it's another dent in the city's identity. The final call now lies with the planning committee on July 3rd.

01:45The EU has worked as a member of the family. It has been a year.

01:52Growing up with the public, it has been a year after the period of years.

01:54It's about 45 of the year as a new development and it was a year after the period of years.

01:56And the population of the people who've been doing it, even the conditions of the community

02:00and the people who've been doing it today. Or are the people who have been doing it.

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