Plans Announced for Alternative 32-Storey Tower in Birmingham

will also feature ground-floor commercial and retail spaces and co-working facilities in addition to the 294 new rental homes.

Urban Vision purchased the site from developer Euro Property Investments after the previous project was scrapped. Urban Vision stated that their plans for redevelopment on the site would support the ongoing regeneration efforts in the local area. The Birmingham-based company recently completed the 42-storey Mercian residential tower and an office building at Paradise Circus.

Deansgate Exterior Renaker Howells Architects have announced plans for a 32-storey tower in Birmingham. The residential build at 100 Broad Street replaces a previously planned project by Glancy Nicholls Architects.

The plans went on show in late March as part of the consultation process. The tower will offer build-to-rent flats. The previous plan approved by Birmingham City Council would have seen the building double in height to become the tallest structure in the city. The design

Berkeley to Refocus on Low Rise Should Second Staircase Rule Go Ahead

Berkeley has announced plans to move from tower to low-rise developments should the proposed government ban on single staircases in blocks above 30 metres go ahead. Rules are already in place in London after Mayor Sadiq Khan applied the proposed changes with immediate effect last month. They are due to come into force across the UK later this year. All planning applications in the capital for new buildings above 30 metres must now have second staircases before going to the Greater London Authority for final sign-off. In an interview published in Building Magazine, Berkeley said the change was a ‘remarkable challenge’ for everybody.

Divisional Managing Director Brian McKenzie said, “First and foremost, Berkeley try and create as many amenities for the public as possible, and that is going to become more challenging because if you cannot put a tower in to get the density up, we are then going to have to increase coverage.”

A consultation paper on the ban, published last year, advised developers to prepare for changes. It also suggested there would be a short transitional period for schemes requiring further redesign.

The G15 group of London Housing Associations has welcomed the 30 metre rule. However, a Royal Institute of British Architects-led coalition which includes the National Fire Chiefs Council and disability groups have put forward arguments for the threshold to apply to towers taller than 18 metres.

Urban Vision Director Nigel Robson said: “Our ambition is to deliver one of the city’s most sustainable developments at 100 Broad Street, which sets the standard for tall buildings in Birmingham. As an underutilised brownfield site, this is an opportunity to support the wider regeneration of the area – driving local growth and creating jobs. Our proposals are deliverable and should planning permission be granted, construction will begin as soon as possible.”

IMAGE: Howells Architects/ Urban Vision

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities expects costs for the requirement to reach £1.6 billion over the next decade with a 30 metre ban, £2.5 billion if this is lowered to 18 metres.

£400m Scheme Approved for Former Yorkshire Post Site

The Leeds-based developer Urbanite Living has secured planning consent to develop the former Yorkshire Post site in Leeds. The plans which are subject to conditions, are for three mixed residential towers on the prominent site which has been vacant for nine years.

Designed by DLA Architecture with Quod acting as planning consultant, the £400 million development will deliver one of the city centre’s largest new residential and student living schemes. The plans include three residential towers, ranging in height from 25-42 storeys. The tallest two will contain 1,782 student beds in a total of 576 cluster apartments, along with leisure and well-being facilities. The third building will provide 348 private rent apartments.

Galliford Try set out the construction management plan as part of the initial planning submission. It intends to use offsite manufactured bathroom pods and pre-cast concrete facades.

Daniel Newett, a founder of Urbanite, said: “Leeds remains one of the UK’s top university destinations with education space as well as student applications continuing to increase at a rapid pace. This scheme delivers uncompromising living spaces with fantastic public realm that is both sustainable and adaptable for the future whilst also supporting the health and wellbeing of its occupants.”

IMAGE: Urbanite/ DLA Architecture - Urbanite says it hopes to be able to start development on site as soon as possible

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