Towers recommended for approval despite concerns

Plans for two major towers overlooking one of Birmingham's best-known canalside areas are recommended for approval, despite concerns about their impact on nearby heritage sites.

The proposed residential buildings, standing at 30 and 17 storeys, form part of the wider Arena Central masterplan, a mixed-use regeneration scheme in the city centre, on the site of the former HSBC headquarters.

If approved, it would provide 526 apartments, plus retail and commercial space, communal facilities and landscaped public areas.

Heritage and waterways organisations have expressed concerns over the proposals, with the Canal and River Trust highlighting the "scale and massing" of the buildings.

The site is close to Gas Street Basin, at the heart of Birmingham's canal network, which recently featured in the Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man.

Historic England welcomed the opportunity to complete development of an important city centre site but questioned the height of one of the towers and its potential impact on nearby buildings, suggesting reducing it could help limit any harm.

However, a council planning officer said the development would not affect the significance of nearby heritage assets.

In a report recommending approval, the officer acknowledged the buildings would change views from places, including Gas Street Basin, Regency Wharf Bridge and around the Hall of Memory.

But they said no heritage assets would be physically altered or lost, and its architectural and historic value would remain clear.

The officer said the potential harm needed to be weighed against the public benefits of the scheme, including more than 500 homes, new public space, regeneration, construction jobs and biodiversity improvements.

They also rejected calls to reduce the height of the 30-storey tower, arguing this would not significantly reduce its impact on heritage sites and could detract from the building's architectural quality.

The report described the design as having a "strong, creative architectural concept" and said the buildings' form and scale complemented their surroundings.

It added that, although the towers were taller than those shown in the Arena Central masterplan, their height was appropriate for the city centre location.

The officer ultimately recommended the plans for approval, subject to a legal agreement.

The proposals are due to be considered by Birmingham City Council's planning committee on 12 November.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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