‘Hanging Gardens of Hockley’ plans released for Jewellery Quarter

Plans for three separate areas of the Jewellery Quarter have been unveiled – all produced by community working groups convened by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust.

Following Local Centres Funding from the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) in 2021 to create a Jewellery Quarter Cultural Action Zone, the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) has since worked with local stakeholders to develop three visions for the future of the historic area.

Great Hampton Street – Credit – Cordia Blackswan

The areas, now given three distinct names, include: Chartists, the south-western border of the Jewellery Quarter that connects Paradise with Spring Hill; JQ Common, the traditional heart of the area which covers the Jewellery Quarter train station, Chamberlain Clock and The Golden Square; and Great Hampton Street, encompassing both Hockley Hill and Constitution Hill.

One proposal is to transform Hockley Circus into a connector between Handsworth, Soho, Hockley, Newtown and the Jewellery Quarter by turning the flyover into the “Hanging Gardens of Hockley”. The vision would see the planting of community gardens and allotments, taking inspiration from The Sky Garden in Seoul and New York’s The High Line.

Another proposal sees the development of a linear park running along Summer Hill Road to help repair the “tear” in urban fabric between the Jewellery Quarter and Ladywood. A new network of trees and urban greening through narrowing the road would provide spaces for members of the public to spend time outdoors.

The Vyse Street Food Project, a proposal being developed by Slow Food Birmingham, BCC Food Trails and Urban Design Hub, aims to see the installation of a community garden over the underutilised brutalist car park behind JQ Modern, with ideas to introduce a circular and fully regenerative food system for the Jewellery Quarter.

The plans will now be used by the JQDT and wider community to engage and lobby local, regional, and national government. If the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan is passed at local referendum, then additional funding could be made available to help deliver the visions.

Kirsty Hillyer, who runs local business Frilly Industries, said: “Being a micro business based in the Jewellery Quarter since 2010 this is the first initiative that has actively consulted with a diverse range of stakeholders to shape the development of the area. It enabled us to challenge each other’s perceptions and empower us to present creative solutions that meet the needs of both businesses and residents as a priority.”

Local resident, Tina Francis, added: “Looking at my environment differently has been the best part of being involved in this activity. It’s been interesting to learn what other people love about the place I call home.”

Summer Hill Linear Park vision. Credit – BPN Architects

Anita Bhalla, GBSLEP interim chair, said: “Publishing these vision documents is an important step along the way for the Jewellery Quarter to realise its full potential as a business cluster, visitor attraction and historical residential area. GBSLEP has been working alongside the JQDT for some time – along with partners across our region – following our funding of 9 Cultural Actions Zones over the last 18 months. Each is different, as they adapt to local needs.

“For JQ this CAZ has been about bringing local stakeholders together to develop a shared vision and practical action plan, which aligns with the Government’s levelling up agenda and is a toolkit to unlock future local funding and support.”

Local development company, Cordia Blackswan, which contributed to the Great Hampton Street working group, is already putting plans in motion.

Marcus Hawley, managing director, said: “Cordia Blackswan is based in the Jewellery Quarter and our developments here seek to raise the bar in terms of community, quality and amenity. We were excited to have the opportunity to participate in this visioning project and alongside the JQDT we have the aspiration and enthusiasm to help turn the vision into reality.”

Nicola Fleet Milne, co-chair of the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan, added: “The JQ Plan was created to be an enabler for high-quality development in the Jewellery Quarter which puts the area’s businesses and residents first. As a community-led project itself it was also intended to spur on further work, and it’s thrilling to see the Plan open the door to another community-led initiative supported by GBSLEP’s grant.”

The visioning studies have been funded by the GBSLEP, with grant funding also being used to explore the development of a Jewellery Quarter creative incubator as well as enhancements to the visitor economy.