Hospital plans are doubled in size
A NEW private hospital to be built at the former BBC studios at Pebble Mill is set to be even bigger than originally planned.
Birmingham City Council had already approved the development of a 54,000 sq ft building at the Edgbaston site but this Thursday the authority’s planning committee will decide whether the scheme can be increased to 97,000 sq ft.
The new facility, which is also to be used for research and development, would rise in height from five storeys to eight, although that includes two storeys of “roof plant areas”.
Applicants Pebble Mill Investments, a subsidiary of Calthorpe Estates, say the building will predominantly be five to six storeys tall.
The number of parking spaces has also been increased from 140 to 167 which would be located on a surface level and two basement levels.
Specific details of the facility’s end use, as well as the number of beds and consultation rooms, have yet to be confirmed and a more comprehensive application – referred to as reserved matters – would be submitted at a later stage if it is approved.
Calthorpe is also looking at providing extra accommodation for the neighbouring dental hospital.
No formal objections have been submitted against the enlarged proposal.
Council officers concluded that the hospital would be a “welcome addition” to Pebble Mill, forming another part of the “growing medical park”.
Councillors on the committee will have the final say.