Student accommodation to shore up £4m flood scheme

A £4m flood risk management scheme is being planned that is to be funded by developing part of the former Pebble Mill Sports and Social Club.

Calthorpe Estates has submitted an outline planning application for three mixed-use buildings, which will include accommodation for 340 students as well as two food and drink outlets. The student living scheme ranges in size from four to six storeys in height.

Ralph Minott, director of development at Calthorpe Estates, said: “This opportunity is incredibly bold and ambitious, both in terms of partnership working and the complexity of the many parts of the proposals, however it is testament to Calthorpe Estates’ partnership with Birmingham City Council and our collaboration as part of the Rea Catchment Partnership.”

The Environment Agency will also seek funding towards the works through a business case submission.

Mike Adams, a flood risk adviser at the Environment Agency, added: “Over the last three years we’ve worked as part of the Rea Catchment Partnership to investigate options for slowing water down, storing water in extreme storm events and managing overland flow routes. We hope the plans outlined above will help to reduce the risk of flooding for over 150 homes and businesses.”

The scheme, which has been submitted for a detailed planning application, is designed to reduce the risk level of flood along a three kilometre stretch of Bourn Brook, the tributary of the River Rea.

The flood risk management project involves the deepening and widening of an area of existing flood water storage near the Bourn Brook Walkway on Harborne Lane, almost doubling the capacity of the storage reservoir. Wildlife habitat and ecology improvements are also proposed.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close