Developer wins race to buy former greyhound stadium

The former greyhound stadium at Hall Green has been bought by developer Galliford Try Partnerships for £13m.

The stadium was closed last July after 90 years’ racing after four years of uncertainty and campaigns.

The site has already received planning, after an appeal, for the development of up to 210 homes. Plans were originally blocked because of the small number of affordable homes on the site.

James Warrington, divisional director at Galliford Try Partnerships, said: “As one of the UK’s fastest growing regeneration companies, we will be using our expertise to develop a quality range of new homes, with preliminary work due to start this month.”

The 10.77-acre site received “extensive interest”, according to agents Harris Lamb, because it provided a “rare opportunity to purchase such a large site in Birmingham”. It is less than five miles south east of the city centre and the site is very close to Hall Green railway station.

Eight developers requested to make full and final offers before Galliford Try Partnerships was chosen as the successful bidder.

“This opportunity attracted a huge amount of national interest from developers,” said Chris Jones, head of residential land at Harris Lamb.

“As one of the largest residential sites available in a high-quality suburb of Birmingham, within easy reach of the city centre, local motorway and rail links, development will be largely family homes. These opportunities are scarce in Birmingham.”