Hospital plan is rejected after parking concerns
A PROPOSAL for a new hospital and research facility at the former BBC Pebble Mill studios has hit a stumbling block after developers failed to gain planning permission.
Calthorpe Estates anticipated Birmingham City Council would give the green light to the eight-storey building in Edgbaston but the authority’s planning committee has put the brakes on it with members unhappy at the lack of information put forward.
The council had previously granted permission for a 54,000 sq ft building on the same plot, but Calthorpe’s latest scheme is for one almost twice the size at 97,000 sq ft.
The main issue was that the devel- oper had only submitted an ‘outline’ application which if approved would have required a more detailed ‘reserved matters’ proposal at a later stage.
The end user has not been announced although Calthorpe stated they were looking at providing more space for dental hospital.
Cllr Gareth Moore, on the committee, took issue with the fact the 167 parking spaces proposed may not be enough.
He said: “I think any investment into providing better healthcare should be most welcomed, but it has to have the appropriate parking arrangements to support that use.
“If at a later date the use intensifies we have to know we have the parking to support that otherwise we are repeating the mistakes we made with the Queen Elizabeth [hospital] unfortunately.”
Cllr Maureen Cornish was similarly unhappy about the fact West Mid- the neighbouring lands Fire Service had not been provided with information around access arrangements for firefighters and water supplies.
She said: “Although this would be a welcome addition it will be a huge development when completed.
“I am not comfortable with waiting for reserved matters to discuss the fire service’s concerns. I would like to feel more confident today.”
Cllrs Karen McCarthy and Lucy Seymour-Smith called for the committee to defer a decision arguing residents in the area had not been consulted enough on the larger plans.