Major five-tower redevelopment stalled as council defers approval
Vita Group’s redevelopment of the former Axis Square has been deferred by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee.
The five-tower masterplan features buildings ranging from 10 to 49 storeys, set around a new urban garden which creates a route from Navigation Street to Holliday Street.
It includes three residential buildings creating 990 homes, a 221-room serviced apartment building, a PBSA plot delivered under Vita Group’s House of Social brand, as well as a 17,000 sq ft public food hall.
- Building 1 – South Residential Tower (484 C3 units), 49 storeys
- Building 2 – North Residential Tower (384 C3 units), 39 storeys
- Building 3 – Student Residential Tower (720 bedspaces), 29 storeys
- Building 4 – Hotel Building (229 C1 units, 278 beds), 19 storeys
- Building 5 – Residential Building (122 C3 units), 10 storeys
Planning officers at Birmingham City Council had recommended that Goods Station should be approved, subject to Vita agreeing to make a £3.9m off-site affordable housing contribution, spend at least £3.2m on public realm and purchase relevant biodiversity credits.
However, at yesterday’s planning meeting, councillors raised concerns over the mix of housing and the number of one-bedroom apartments. They wanted to see more two and three-bedroom apartments for families, rather than a high number of one-beds.
Cllr Gareth Moore also wanted the scheme to be more distinctive than “a collection of boxes”.
Councillors also asked for a tall buildings policy to guide how the committee can address schemes such as Goods Station.
In its construction phase, Vita Group said the regeneration of the site is expected to create around 485 jobs in the West Midlands and will contribute £245m to the local economy.
Once complete, the Goods Station will generate 185 jobs on-site, generating £2.4m additional council tax for the city and adding £7.8m to Birmingham’s economy each year. If the plans are successful, Vita Group will look to break ground in the Autumn of 2025.
It also aims to feature 17,000 sq ft of new food and beverage space, and there is a proposed Community Infrastructure Levy payment of over £10m to Birmingham City Council.
