Development strategy needs tighter focus
ONE of Birmingham’s leading property agents believes the city council risks diluting the impact of its new development strategy, by trying to bring forward three major legacy sites simultaneously.
Ian Cornock, who heads King Sturge’s city office, thinks it makes more sense to focus resources on a single scheme, and his preference is for the Southern Gateway, which covers some 150 acres, including the former wholesale markets site.
“At MIPIM, Mike Whitby spoke with tremendous commitment about the council’s determination to develop Bordesley Park, Ladyport – which is an expanded version of the original Icknield Port Loop site – and the Southern Gateway,” said Mr Cornock.
“As always, it is difficult not to be swayed by his passion, but I think we need to stand back, and to reflect on whether it will be possible to bring forward three massive sites at the same time. I think we need to learn the lessons of the past.
“One of the key reasons that Brindleyplace was so successful is that people were able to focus on a single opportunity. In recent years though, there have been just too many sites, and some schemes – such as Eastside – have been slow to come forward as a result.”
Mr Cornock believes the Southern Gateway site should be the initial focal point for the new strategy, as it will be commercially-led.
“Ladyport will be driven in the main by the strength of the residential market. The council needs to first put together a flexible masterplan, so parcels of land can be taken on by individual developers. The scheme is so large that it needs to come forward in bite-sized chunks,” he said.
The King Sturge observer was delighted though to hear Cllr Whitby reveal that funding was almost finalised for Birmingham International Airport’s £120m runway extension, and that the global IT giant Cisco was poised to establish a formal relationship with Birmingham Science Park – Aston.
“The Cisco tie-up is exactly what the science park, and Birmingham, needs. We need to drive our technology sector forward to compete on the global level. We’ve had lots of science and technology parks in the area, but this will really give BSP the edge,” he said.
“We need to enhance Birmingham’s presence on the international stage, and this relationship will further strengthen our ties with other major cities, including Dubai, Mumbai, Bangalore and San Francisco.”
Mr Cornock said the go-ahead for BIA’s runway extension, expected to be rubber-stamped by the airport’s directors in April, is another major achievement for Birmingham, and the West Midlands.
“The city’s business community has been waiting for the airport to offer direct services to India, China and America’s Western seaboard for a long time, and it is excellent news that the final £25m of funding has been identified,” he said.
“The runway should open in 2014, when both the new Central Library and the New Street Gateway will be completed, and they will all play important roles in attracting more developers, investors and occupiers to our city. The timing will be perfect.”
