Planning consent for £4m flood risk scheme in Edgbaston

A COMPLEX flood alleviation scheme reliant on the construction of a new student accommodation block in Edgbaston has received planning consent.

Working as part of the Rea Catchment Partnership, Calthorpe Estates and the Environment Agency have been given the green light to embark on the £4m flood risk management scheme and student living complex as part of its redevelopment at Pebble Mill.

Designed to significantly reduce the risk of flooding from Bourn Brook, the tributary of the River Rea, the new defences will offer protection for over 150 local homes and businesses.

The flood risk management project involves the deepening and widening of an area of existing flood water storage near the Bourn Brook Walkway on Harborne Lane. This measure will increase the capacity of the storage ‘reservoir’ by almost double and offer wildlife habitat and ecology improvements.

Ralph Minott, Director of Development at Calthorpe Estates, said: “Calthorpe Estates has worked closely with the Environment Agency, Birmingham City Council and other members of the Rea Catchment Partnership for over three years on this project.

“Finding a public/private partnership solution to the suffering caused to homes and businesses in the area was the only means of funding such a project, in itself this has been a significant achievement.

“The flooding desperately needed to be addressed, particularly when reviewing the flood damage in 2008 and more recently in June 2016 where residents were forced to move out of their homes. Our plans will also importantly allow improvement of environmental issues within the two areas in tandem with the flood defence works.”

Half of the £4m cost of the defences will be raised through the partnership between Calthorpe Estates and a specialist student accommodation provider.

The new accommodation, which will accommodate up to 340 students, will be built on the site of the former BBC social club, which has been empty for more than a decade following the corporation’s decision to relocate away from the nearby studios.

The remaining 50% of the work will be funded by the Environment Agency through Defra.

Mike Adams, Environment Agency Flood Risk Adviser, said: “We are delighted that the planning authority has shown their support for our proposals and we can continue to develop the flood scheme for Selly Park.

“Flooding has a devastating impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, as we have seen here very recently over the summer.  We are committed to working with the communities and partners to help reduce those impacts of future flooding.”

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey said the Pebble Mill scheme was a great example of local partnerships working to create innovative solutions that better protected local communities.

“Not only will this protect more than a hundred buildings, it will also create a rich new habitat for wildlife and opportunities for local businesses,” she said.

Two food and drink outlets also form part of the plans, each of two storeys and 5,000 sq ft and 1,800 sq ft in size respectively. The mixed-use buildings will offer on-site amenities to support the 250,000 visitors, employees and students who will use Pebble Mill.

Work is due to start on site later this year on the flood alleviation scheme, the first part of the project being carried out by the Environment Agency. The second stage of the development will be carried out by Calthorpe Estates and could start early in next spring.