Massive new student complex set to dominate Birmingham gateway

Vacant land next to Birmingham’s Lancaster Circus is set to be transformed into a major new student accommodation scheme.

Lench Trust and ES Lancaster Birmingham plan to use land at Vesey Street, Lench Street, Lancaster Street and Lancaster Circus to create a complex offering 1,023 bed spaces to help meet demand for accommodation from the city’s growing student population.

One of the wings of the development will comprise a 24-storey tower, which will dominate the skyline of St Chads and the Lancaster Circus flyover.

The site lies in the city’s Gun Quarter and the developers said the intention was to construct a complex that integrated into its surroundings, while providing a vibrant addition to an area of the city centre in need of regeneration.

A design and access statement accompanying the planning application, outlines the scheme in more detail.

How the new development will look

It said: “The proposed (scheme) will aid Birmingham in providing available accommodation to its student population. The quantum of accommodation envisaged for the building provides a total of 139 units (1,023 bed spaces) comprising 103 studios and 158 clusters.

“Proposed is a 24-storey development. At the lower ground floor level is the entrance to the student accommodation along with space for 256 bicycles. There is the general common area, reception, general office, lobby, cinema, and kitchen. The upper ground level also has its own common spaces and can extend to an external secure landscaped courtyard.”

A mix of cluster units are proposed, from five-bed spaces to seven-bed units, together with a mix of studio sizes from 16.5sqm to above 21sqm.

The plans have undergone preliminary scrutiny from Birmingham City Council and a number of amendments have been agreed ahead of the full application being submitted.

The initial talks have seen developers agree to angle the building so it faces onto Lancaster Circus, thereby giving it a ‘public’ face.

The overall massing of the scheme has also been significantly reduced, while the central core of the building has been reduced to accentuate the tower’s height.

The two towers which comprise each wing of the development are to be clad in different materials to help break up the massing and be more sympathetic to its surroundings.

Courtyard amenity space has been provided to help distinguish the building from its neighbours.

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