Vita’s five-tower masterplan secures approval from Birmingham City Council

Vita Group is set to redevelop the former Axis Square site after Birmingham City Council’s planning committee approved revised plans for the major city centre scheme.

Goods Station had been previously deferred following concerns from councillors about the housing mix, particularly the high number of one-bedroom apartments and a lack of homes for sale.

Now approved, the five-tower masterplan will transform the area with buildings ranging from 10 to 49 storeys, all set around a new urban garden that will link Navigation Street to Holliday Street.

The scheme includes:

• Three residential buildings delivering a total of 990 homes
• A 229-room serviced apartment building
• A 720-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) operated under Vita’s House of Social brand
• A 17,000 sq ft public food hall

In response to feedback, plans for Building 5 were revised to provide homes for sale rather than for rent.

Breakdown of the five buildings:

• Building 1 – South Residential Tower: 49 storeys, 484 C3 units
• Building 2 – North Residential Tower: 39 storeys, 384 C3 units
• Building 3 – Student Residential Tower: 29 storeys, 720 bedspaces
• Building 4 – Hotel Building: 19 storeys, 229 C1 units (278 beds)
• Building 5 – ‘For Sale’ Residential Building: 10 storeys, 122 C3 units

Planning officers recommended approval, subject to several conditions: a £3.9m contribution to off-site affordable housing, a minimum £3.2m investment in the public realm, and the purchase of appropriate biodiversity credits.

Vita Group aims to break ground on the project in Autumn 2025.