Fresh plans to improve the viability of Birmingham’s neglected Martineau site
New plans have been proposed to improve the viability of a neglected section of Birmingham city centre.
The Martineau Place area has been neglected in the past 20 years as first the Bullring shopping centre and then Grand Central swallowed up massive amounts of investment.
The result of this has been large numbers of empty shops and abandoned eateries as shoppers shift focus away from the traditional Corporation Street retail area to the newer developments.
Colony Capital has now applied for planning permission to change the leasing conditions for Martineau Place to improve the short to medium term viability of the area.
The application covers 21 out of a total of 35 units within the Martineau Place development. Of the 21 units, 10 are currently vacant and the applicant’s agent said changing usage conditions would hopefully encourage new tenants to move in, especially if they did not have to wait for planning permission to be secured.
The idea is that it would also allow existing units to expand into the existing vacant units without requiring planning consent.
The aim is to make Martineau Place a more resilient centre that could compete – or at least hold its own – with other city centre attractions.
Martineau Place has primary frontages to Corporation Street and the route of the extended Midland Metro, High Street, Bull Street and the pedestrianised Union Street.
While the units fronting Corporation Street, High Street and Bull Street are occupied by prominent retailers such as Poundland, Sainsbury’s and Boots, it is the internal units that are struggling.
The proposals are set to be considered by Birmingham’s planning committee tomorrow (Thursday).
A report to the meeting states: “The (Birmingham) Retail Strategy acknowledges that parts of the Retail Core such as Corporation Street have suffered from investment elsewhere in the city and show higher vacancy rates than elsewhere in the centre. This is alongside national changes resulting from the effects of the recession on spending patterns and the growth in online shopping.”
It adds that in the short term, the policies of the Adopted Development Plan look to promote development that would improve the vitality and viability of the city centre and the retail core.
Also, the range of uses proposed accords with the national planning policy frameworks for town centres.
“It is considered that the range would be consistent with the functions of the city centre. It is considered that allowing the 21 units to have a flexible use would increase their marketability and reduce the likelihood of vacancies thus enlivening this part of the city centre that has suffered over recent years,” it adds.
The report also states that there is an opportunity for all 21 units within the application site to become food and drink outlets, in addition to the existing food and drink outlets.
“The covered central square offers a good setting for food and drink uses and provides adequate room for outdoor seating area,” it said.
The proposals are only being considered for the short to medium term because the whole of the Martineau area is expected to change once HS2 arrives in Birmingham.
The Martineau Galleries scheme proposed in the early 2000s hoped to revamp the entire area but the £500m scheme, which pledged to create thousands of new jobs, was shelved with the onset of recession.
The report to tomorrow’s meetings adds: “It is anticipated that the implementation of the HS2 proposals will enable a stronger link between the Colmore Row/Snow Hill area and Eastside. The (retail) strategy explains that Martineau Galleries will become a location for prime offices, unlocking the potential for large floorplate Grade A office space immediately opposite Birmingham Curzon station.
“It is envisaged that buildings will be set around new public squares and spaces, with strong pedestrian links through the development. Commercial uses are promoted at ground floor of this key route with residential uses above.”
