Council refuses plans for 711-bed development

The 711-bed Smithfield Lofts scheme has been refused today by Birmingham City Council.

Councillors were unhappy with the provision of affordable housing and said the development impacts non-designated heritage assets. The move has left the scheme ‘undetermined’ meaning the developer will consider its options on revising plans.

The Digbeth scheme, proposed by Prosperity Developments, would comprise two blocks of seven and 23 storeys, with 317 one-bed and 394 two-bed homes.

Around 200 jobs were expected to be created during the construction phase, as well as an additional 200 for off-site suppliers and operational jobs once Smithfield Lofts was complete.

It forms part of the Smithfield Masterplan, a £1.9bn redevelopment of Birmingham’s city centre.

Phase one of the plans proposes a destination market which will showcase “exceptional” producers, 547 new homes comprising a mix of one, two and three-bedrooms, a health and wellbeing hub and a multi-functional public square to be known as ‘Festival Square’.