Developers propose 108 apartments for Birmingham city centre
A DERELICT site in Birmingham city centre is set to be transformed into a new residential scheme under plans submitted to the city council.
Developer Hamptons Development is proposing to clear the site bounded by Florence Street and Ernest Street, Holloway Head and install a new apartment complex.
The plans propose 108 apartments spread over eight levels. On the first two levels there are 19 apartments on each floor, which include 15 studios and four one bed flats. On the four floors above there are 14 apartments split between two studios, nine one bed and three two bed apartments.
On level seven there would be 10 apartments split between four one bed and six two bed apartments.
On the Ernest Street side only and set back from the main facade is level eight, which would include three two bed apartments and one three bed apartment.
The developer is not proposing to sell the apartments but to hold them back for rental. Hamptons specialises in dealing with rental properties and it said the new apartments would complement the existing residential facilities in the area, which have been built mainly for private tenants.
It said a rental option in the area would provide people with more choice.
The design has been amended prior to submission following preliminary talks with city planning officers. The discussions have resulted in an upper story being removed from the original design.
The site does not front Holloway Head but lies to the rear of existing frontages to Florence Street and Ernest Street, and sits opposite the new Ibis Hotel. It is also adjacent to two separately owned sites which front onto Bath Row.
It is not the first time a residential scheme has been proposed for the site. A previous planning consent from the city had paved the way for a 60-apartment scheme with associated car parking.
However, while the site was part-cleared, this scheme was never developed and Hamptons acquired the site from receivers some years ago.
A new design brief for the scheme has been prepared for Hamptons by Lapworth Architects.
The new scheme proposes the demolition of all the buildings left on the site. Taking advantage of the lower street level and the position opposite the hotel, a small commercial unit is also proposed as part of the scheme, which would be accessed off Ernest Street.
There would also be a basement car park for the apartment block. It would have space for 63 cars plus an area for cycles/motorcycles. There is also a possibility of some smart car or electric small cars being included as part of a sharing scheme for tenants.
