Site of aborted supermarket scheme acquired for new mixed-use development

The site of an aborted supermarket scheme in Birmingham is set to be redeveloped as a mixed-use residential and commercial scheme following the purchase of the land by city-based developer SevenCapital.

The 5.5-acre site in Erdington had been earmarked for a Sainsbury’s supermarket but the retailer never progressed the plan.

The site, which fronts Sutton Road, is occupied by the disused eight-storey office building, Honeywell House and was the former base of a Colliers car showroom. The plot also includes a number of single storey workshop units.

The offices were at one stage used by the Children, Young People and Families directorate of Birmingham City Council.

SevenCapital, which has not disclosed the terms of the acquisition, has already submitted plans to convert the office building into 84 apartments.

Its plans for the remainder of the site include a mix of residential and commercial uses, aimed at improving the overall vitality of Erdington town centre.

Samuel Clark, director at SevenCapital, said: “This site has remained an eyesore for a number of years whilst the surrounding area has benefited from continued investment including Erdington Leisure Centre, Erdington Skills Centre and the ongoing regeneration of the Lyndhurst Estate.

“We are pleased to now be able to play our part in the reinvigoration of this part of Erdington and continue our investment both within and outside the city centre.

“We will soon be bringing forward plans to transform the location into an attractive and inviting place to live and work.”

Subject to consultations with Birmingham City Council and local residents, a full planning application could be submitted early in the New Year, with works starting once consent is secured.

The site has had a controversial recent history.

Sainsbury’s had secured planning permission for the new store but shelved the proposals in 2014 because of the uncertain retail environment.

The plan had also attracted opposition from the NewRiver REIT, owner of the nearby Central Square shopping centre, which had claimed that the new Sainsbury’s would make its own plan to revamp the existing precinct unviable.

At one stage, NewRiver threatened to submit plans to demolish Central Square and replace it with its own supermarket scheme.