Tall & Urban News

A proposal to build Birmingham's tallest skyscraper at 51 stories has finally been approved, following a setback.

The £160 million (US$210 million) plans for the 667-apartment ONE Eastside development on the corner of Jennens Road and James Watt Queensway, had been deferred by Birmingham City Council's planning committee in October 2019.

Birmingham Airport had sought assurances that construction cranes would not pose a danger to passing airplanes. Councilors raised concerns about the design of the scheme, which also includes a 16-story shoulder building and the fact that only three percent of the apartments would be allocated for affordable housing. Since then, developer Court Collaboration has provided more information around each issue.

The airport subsequently removed its objection while council planning officers said the supplementary detail had provided more “comfort” around the design and financial viability of the proposal. Neal Allcock, from planning consultants Turley representing the firm, said, "There are no outstanding technical matters or other considerations that outweigh the significant benefits provided by the proposed development."

At a 5 December 2019 planning committee meeting more emphasis was placed on the concerns that the development would reduce light and overshadow student accommodation at Aston University, as well as homes under construction at Exchange Square. However, council planning officers accepted a “Daylight, Sunlight and Overshadowing Report” from the applicants that concluded the impacts of the scheme would only be “minimal” in “isolated” areas.

Not all committee members were won over. Councilor Lou Robson said she was “not completely convinced” the daylight issue had been addressed, but her call for another deferral was overruled by committee chair Councilor Karen McCarthy.

Councilor Robson also repeated her remark from the previous meeting that the provision of three percent affordable housing was “pathetic.” However, the scheme was ultimately voted through.

Amenities include a gym, yoga room, cinema room as well as a rooftop bar and restaurant.

Anthony McCourt, CEO of Court Collaboration welcomed today's decision and said, "We’re delighted with the council’s decision to grant planning permission for ONE Eastside and we hope to be able to confirm a start-on-site date soon.”

For more on this story, go to Birmingham Live.