Development partner selected for long-awaited Birmingham regeneration scheme

BIRMINGHAM City Council and the Canal & River Trust have selected a joint venture between Urban Splash and Places for People as the preferred partner for the development of Icknield Port Loop in Edgbaston.

The scheme is said to be one of the most significant brownfield regeneration schemes in the UK but has remained nothing more than wishful thinking for many years.

But now things seem to be moving ahead. The council and the Canal & River Trust, advised by Savills, chose the development partner following a marketing process which was said to have attracted strong interest and high quality proposals.

Urban Splash and Places for People will enter into a period of exclusivity, prior to taking a 50% share in a limited liability partnership with the landowners, to bring forward a mixed-use scheme at the 43-acre site. 

This will include 1,150 new homes plus commercial uses and community facilities. The joint venture will also provide development management services.  

Icknield Port Loop sits within the area covered by the Greater Icknield Masterplan, part of the draft Birmingham Development Plan, which includes the delivery of 3,000 new homes and 1,000 new jobs by 2031.
 
Barry Allen, head of Savills Birmingham, said: “This is a major milestone for Icknield Port Loop.

“Whilst the development has been some time in the making, its launch was perfectly timed to meet renewed appetite for urban housing sites of a scale which can enable real change. 

“The proposals received demonstrated ambition, design flair, place-making and financial appetite.”

Mary Parsons, group director of placemaking and regeneration at Places for People, adds: “We formed our joint venture with Urban Splash to bring together our combined strength in designing and delivering great places and look forward to working with Birmingham Council and the Canal & River Trust to create a truly memorable development and a vibrant new neighbourhood.”