Green light for 20-storey Park Central project

PLANS for a new supermarket and residential complex in central Birmingham have been given the green light by city planners.

Surrey-based Crest Nicholson is aiming to build a 20-storey tower at its Park Central estate containing a 78,500 sq ft supermarket, additional retail or leisure units and 400 apartments.

It is also planning to build six further residential buildings around a landscaped courtyard on the site of the former 20-storey Haddon Tower building and Springvale Shopping Precinct.

Approval was granted for the renewal of outline planning consent for the ‘Retail Quarter’, on the corner of Lee Bank Middleway and the A38, which had elapsed after three years.

Crest originally applied to renew the outline consent in December but it was deferred by Birmingham City Council in May following a formal objection to the supermarket element by Tesco.

The supermarket giant has itself lodged an application with the city council to redevelop the derelict Monaco House opposite Park Central which is being considered by planners.

Crest is working with Optima Community Association and an as yet unnamed supermarket operator with the aim of submitting a detailed planning application later this year.

Ian Rhodes, development director for Crest Nicholson Regeneration, said: “We are delighted with the decision by the planning committee and look forward to working with the city council and our development partners to deliver this final key element of the scheme.”