Apartments plan set to spring from Fountain site

More than 50 apartments could be built on the site of a Birmingham pub following the submission of a new planning application to the city council.

Developers want to build the apartment block on a plot at 47-55 Alcester Street, Deritend. The corner plot, which also fronts Cheapside, is the site of The Fountain pub.

The plans propose the demolition of the three-storey pub and the single storey additions to the rear and residential accommodation above.  Immediately to the rear of The Fountain is a two-storey light industrial unit used independently of the public house.

The proposed development comprises 51 one and two-bedroom flats within a four-storey building together with parking spaces, cycle storage racks and refuse storage areas.   The flats are proposed to be a mix of 44 one-bedroom units and seven two-bedroom units.

The building would front Alcester Street and Cheapside and span the length of the site along both street frontages.  The proposal will provide 15 parking spaces at the rear of the block, including allocated disabled spaces.

There would also be 30 vertical cycle storage racks located against the rear wall of the communal parking area.

A planning statement submitted in support of the application states: “The proposal presents the opportunity to create an attractive housing development that would result in a sustainable addition to the Deritend neighbourhood.

“The proposal would result in the efficient re-use of previously developed land for much needed housing avoiding the need for equivalent development being sited on greenfield land. This prudent use of land weighs in favour of the development.”