Consent granted for new Edgbaston hotel

JOINT developers have been granted planning consent by Birmingham City Council to construct a new 200-bedroom hotel at the Edgbaston Mill site, opposite Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

Calthorpe Estates and Wylam Investments (Edgbaston Holdings Ltd) are responsible for the scheme, which will also feature a luxury health club complete with a spa and pool areas, together with a café and three restaurants.

Ralph Minott, Director of Development for Calthorpe Estates said: “We are delighted the plans were unanimously approved by the (planning) committee.

“The endorsement concluded by the chair of the panel, referring to the proposal as ‘an excellent high quality facility to support the world class stadium redevelopment,’ completely concurs with the aspirations that Calthorpe Estates have held for a high quality leisure and retail destination in this part of Edgbaston for 10 years.

“Wylam Investments shared our enthusiasm to create an exceptional facility and have been keen to move.”

The design of the leisure complex will be in keeping with surrounding developments, particularly the successful Redrow Hemisphere development opposite. The residential scheme is already constructed and over 95% occupied.

Alastair Cattrell, Chief Executive of Wyman Investments, said: “We saw an opportunity to introduce a superb hotel and leisure facilities. Some people may consider Birmingham has enough hotels, but we believe a truly magnificent hotel on the edge of the city opposite a world famous sporting landmark will attract discerning travellers and local people.

“No other site can offer the surrounding facilities of Edgbaston Mill, including an international cricket venue and one of the best parks in Birmingham, combined with such easy access to the city centre.

“We also looked at the catchment near-by and will be offering exceptional leisure, health and dining facilities that will appeal to people living and working near-by and on the Calthorpe Estate – including three superb new restaurants.”

With planning approval now confirmed, the timetable is to start on site on in spring 2011 with the aim of opening the hotel the following spring. Contractor Anglo Holt has been appointed to build the scheme.

This latest planning consent follows approval for a new Aldi store at the Edgbaston Mill, fronting Edgbaston Road, earlier this year. Work has started on the new store, the design of which will incorporate contemporary materials sympathetic to the natural landscape. The store is set to open at the end of March.