Five-tower masterplan returns to planners with tweak to proposal

Vita Group’s redevelopment of the former Axis Square will return to Birmingham City Council’s planning committee with revised plans. 

The scheme was deferred by the committee after councillors raised concerns over the mix of housing and the number of one-bedroom apartments.

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 229-room serviced apartment building, a 720-bed PBSA plot delivered under Vita Group’s House of Social brand, as well as a 17,000 sq ft public food hall.

Plans for building five have been amended to deliver a ‘for sale’ residential development, rather than for build-to-rent scheme. 

• 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 – ‘For Sale’ 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.

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.

If the plans are successful, Vita Group will look to break ground in the Autumn of 2025.

Birmingham City Council’s planning committee will meet to discuss the scheme on May 8.