Hundreds of homes planned for historic factory site

Plans for 300 houses on a former Rolls Royce factory site in Birmingham have been put forward.

Homes England appointed Zebra Architects to bring forward plans for the site at Shaftmoor Lane in Hall Green.

The site is historically known as that of the Joseph Lucas factory and the home of the company’s aerospace division.

In 2014, Lucas Aerospace relocated the factory and 1,100 staff to a new facility in Solihull.

Rolls Royce occupied part of the site after Lucas Aerospace and has itself now relocated to modern facilities. All remaining factory buildings have since been demolished and the site has been empty ever since.

Zebra’s proposal includes 301 residential dwellings with associated access, parking, and landscaping.

The development would comprise detached, semi-detached / terraced houses, maisonettes and apartments.

A public consultation was held in June, at which Zebra said the “ vast majority” of comments were positive in nature.

Zebra said: “Resident swere generally glad to see the brownfield site be suggested for residential development as they felt that this would rejuvenate the local area. They particularly appreciated the emphasis placed on soft landscaping in both the masterplan and 3D visuals displayed on the day. It was also widely agreed that the quantity of housing shown on the site was fair and ensured sufficient living space for existing and new residents alike.

“The only reservations held by local residents were centred on highways; more specifically, the impact that any new development would have on Spring Road and Shaftmoor Lane, as well as that on parking spaces along Fox Hollies Road.”