Birmingham factory set for new student accommodation scheme

AN ARSON-HIT factory on the fringe of Birmingham city centre is set for conversion into a new student accommodation scheme.

Uncles Properties wants to demolish part of the Grade II-listed Brandauer Works fronting Bridge Street West in Newtown and renovate the remainder of the building fronting New John Street West to create the new residential scheme.

The plans, which have been recommended for approval by Thursday’s planning committee, also propose the construction of two new student accommodation blocks – one fronting New John Street West and turning the corner into Summer Lane and another at the rear part of the site fronting onto Bridge Street West – and associated landscaping works.

The scheme also includes renovating the factory’s former boiler house into a new two-storey café.

Brandauer is one of Birmingham’s oldest manufacturing businesses and is still in existence today although it is based in a factory nearby, having vacated the present building 16 years ago.

The old factory, which has been the target of vandals and arsonists since being vacated, was originally built in the 1850s to manufacture pen nibs, many of which went on to be exported to all parts of the British Empire. Such was the demand that the factory was twice extended, firstly in 1870 and then in again in 1898.

The proposed accommodation would provide a maximum of 308 bedrooms in 194 units, split between 169 studios and 25 cluster units, providing 139 bedrooms in four to six bedroom clusters. Communal space would be provided including laundry room, games room, party room, café/dining area in the boiler house, dinner party kitchen, cinema room, gym and lounge/study areas.

The main entrance and reception would be on the corner of New John Street West and Summer Lane in the new build.

The applicants are currently in talks with several student accommodation operators, who would manage the facility.

Most the studio units, comprising bed, study/living area, en-suite and kitchen facility, would be in the converted listed building due to the narrow depth within the building. Cluster flats would be in the new build elements.

The new structure on the corner of New John Street West and Summer Lane would be linked to the listed building by a slim lightweight recessed structure which would stop just above the eaves of the existing building to create a clear visual break.

The proposed building, which would be largely constructed of red and blue brick, would step up at the junction with Summer Lane from six to seven storeys.

Uncles Properties said there was strong justification for the new scheme, largely due to Birmingham’s growing student population.

It said there were approximately 60,000 full-time students within Birmingham. Of these, 13,000 (21.4%) are in university halls of residence and a further 7,900 (13%) are in private sector purpose-built student accommodation. In addition, there some 3,888 bedspaces in purpose-built student housing schemes in the pipeline although not all these are likely to proceed.

Therefore, two-thirds (66%) of students are not in purpose-built accommodation, signifying the potentially high demand for private sector student accommodation.

The former factory is within walking distance of the city centre and both the main campuses of Aston University and Birmingham City University.

Planning officers said the scheme was well designed and made a positive contribution to the street scene of New John Street West, Summer Lane and Bridge Street West.

Listed building consent for the development is also recommended.

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