Metro extension prompts changes to Paradise timescales
The extension of the Midland Metro between New Street Station and Centenary Square will alter the timescales for the completion of the Paradise Birmingham redevelopment.
As the Paradise development has progressed, the scheme has been divided into three broad phases. Phase one consists of the first two buildings (One and Two Chamberlain Square), together with Chamberlain Square, part of the new east/west route connecting Chamberlain and Centenary Squares (Centenary Way), and Congreave Passage.
Phase two will consist of the remainder of the development south of Centenary Way, which includes three further buildings (one of which would be a new hotel) and further public realm including the new southern square, the remodelled Western Terrace and an upgraded and extended Easy Row subway connecting the development to Alpha Plaza to the west.
Phase three consists of the remaining four buildings north of Centenary Way.
The existing Section 106 agreement for the site requires the value of an element of the public realm works (Chamberlain Square, Radcliffe Passage and an area to the south of the Town Hall) to be no less than £1,650.000. Should these works cost less, then the difference would be paid to the city in the form of further public realm and/or public art.
The agreement also sets out various triggers for when certain elements of the public realm have to be completed.
The measures have been agreed to ensure the public realm improvements are delivered at an appropriate time.
However, since planning permission was granted for the initial scheme, the extension of the metro has been agreed. The route passes directly to the south of the Town Hall along Paradise Street. The Paradise developer has agreed to the second phase of the highway works between Paradise Street and its junction with the remodelled Paradise Circus being delivered by the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) on behalf of Transport for West Midlands.
This warrants the removal of a narrow strip of proposed public realm to the south of the Town Hall as it is now being delivered by the MMA.
In addition, due to levels, the position of the buildings and the highway layout, the demolition and construction access for phase two will remain to the western side of the Town Hall. This is where the remodelled Radcliffe Passage will be provided, which will include new surfaces and street furniture.
Birmingham’s planning committee has now approved proposals to amend the agreement requiring the delivery of Radcliffe Passage to be linked to the adjacent new building (Plot F), which would be the final phase two building.
The existing agreement also requires the subway between what is now Fletcher’s Walk and Alpha Plaza to the west to be extended and visually upgraded with new surfacing and lighting. It also requires no less than £150,000 to be spent on the new Western Terrace area of public realm. The Western Terrace has to be finished before the hotel is occupied, or December 2021, whichever is the sooner.
The MMA will be constructing the second phase of the highway works as part of the extension of the tramway. These works will include the installation of a new track slab structure, the widening of the elevated road on the bend at the head of Paradise Street and associated development.
These works will be in advance of a number of the triggers for phase two of the development and therefore councillors were told the Section 106 agreement needed changing to meet the delivery of public realm works.
The amendment requires the design of the extension to the subway to be agreed prior to the completion of the highway works. The detailed proposals for the subway enhancements and the Western Terrace will be required when the reserved matters application is submitted for the hotel.
