£1.9bn Smithfield scheme to be reconsidered again after several setbacks
The Birmingham £1.9bn Smithfield redevelopment plans have been recommended for approval again following a key amendment.
A recent council report said that the applicant has committed to increasing the minimum size of Smithfield Park by 23% in response to these concerns.
The proposal is now set to be considered next week at the Birmingham planning committee meeting, pending the completion of a legal agreement.
The huge project in Digbeth is set to provide 82,000 sq m of office space, 3,079 apartments and 44,000 sq m of retail when complete.
Plans include a new home for the city’s historic Bull Ring markets, and new leisure and cultural spaces, including a festival square and landscaped park.
Previously, Smithfield Park and Manor Square were areas of concern for councillors, meaning revised proposals were deferred at a planning committee meeting last month.
There were also concerns about the size of Manor Square and its suitability for events such as the annual Pride festivities.
A new report indicates that the development could bring several benefits, such as the creation of new jobs, increased investment in the area, housing, a new public square, and publicly accessible open space.
Despite this, the developer affirmed its commitment to its UK projects, including the £1.9 billion Smithfield scheme, and is aiming to secure planning permission as soon as possible.
