216-bed PBSA poised for approval in Birmingham
A new 13-storey purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) building has been recommended for approval, subject to a section 106 agreement.
Submitted by Tennant Street Partnership on behalf of Soller Seven, the applicant seeks to repurpose a 35-space car park once owned by furniture firm Lee Longlands on Broad Street to a student hub with 216 beds.
The new building will feature studio apartments, co-working spaces, a cinema, a gym and private dining areas and includes 12 floors of accommodation plus a ground floor and mezzanine level, offering a variety of amenities.
The delivery of the scheme is dependent on a section 106 agreement, that the developer must pay £132k towards off-site tree replacement planting and a £10k biodiversity Gain Land Monitoring Contribution.
While the proposal has received support from planning authorities, objections have been raised, with concerns over air pollution, loss of light, noise from construction and potential disturbances from students once the building is completed.
There was also apprehension about the additional storey height compared to a previously approved hotel development on the site.
Despite these concerns, the principle of a large-scale development at the site has already been established, as the location was previously approved for a 12-storey apart-hotel.
The application is set for approval pending a Section 106 agreement, and will be discussed at the planning committee meeting on February 13.
