Battery site powers ahead as construction work begins
Construction work has started on a multi-million pound shopping centre in Birmingham.
The Harvest Partnership, a joint venture between Landsec and Sainsbury’s, is collaborating on the regeneration of the former Battery site in Selly Oak.
Following extensive land remediation works completed by Sainsbury’s in 2016, support services and construction group, Interserve, has been appointed to transform the 17-acre site, which is positioned between Bristol Road and Aston Webb Boulevard.
Expectations are that the mixed-use, retail-led facility will create hundreds of jobs.
Anchored by a new Sainsbury’s store, which will replace the supermarket’s existing store off Chapel Lane, the scheme will include a range of shops, diners, student housing and parking.
In addition to the new supermarket, other confirmed retailers include M&S Food, Next, JD Sports, Superdrug, Wilko, Card Factory, Costa and Nandos.
Construction on what will be known as ‘Selly Oak Shopping Park’ will be phased, with completion of the shops anticipated in autumn 2018, followed soon after by the opening of the Sainsbury’s store. The student accommodation will be completed in time for the start of the 2019 academic year.
Chris Fleetwood, Development Director for Landsec, said: “We’re delighted to announce the start of construction of Selly Oak Shopping Park and the appointment of Interserve, who will transform this former industrial and landfill site into an attractive destination.
“Selly Oak Shopping Park will create new jobs and offer an enhanced retail choice.”
Gordon Kew, Managing Director for Interserve, added: “Undertaking this major redevelopment enables us to continue contributing to (Birmingham’s) future prosperity.”
The site borders an existing retail development, while it is opposite the new £9m TouchBase Pears centre built by Stepnell for national deafblind charity Sense.
The area has undergone considerable development in recent years, spearheaded by the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the expansion of facilities at the University of Birmingham.
