Tower plan submitted in face of opposition
48-storey Digbeth skyscraper would sit on Irish Centre site
PLANS for a 48-storey tower block have been submitted to Birmingham City Council despite a backlash from neighbours and businesses.
Birmingham-based developer Court Collaboration unveiled its vision for the former Irish Centre site in Digbeth in May.
The project would revamp the land after the Birmingham Irish Association left the premises earlier this year after half a century.
The skyscraper will contain 454 one- and two-bedroom apartments to rent as well as a gym, cinema, sky lounge and co-working office space.
There will be no parking, but the developer said provision for cyclists had been increased from 10 per cent to 27 per cent at 122 spaces.
The expanded West Midlands Metro tram network will run past the application site at the corner of High Street Deritend and Chapel House Street. The scheme adjoins The Stone Yard, another development by Court Collaboration which won permission in July for 995 apartments on the former Bull Ring Trading Estate.
It will be developed in a series of blocks ranging from six to 30 storeys. But local campaign group Digbeth Deserves Better has opposed both of the schemes, claiming they would cast a shadow over the district and were not in keeping with the area.
Court Collaboration’s managing director Alex Neale said: “Our plans for the former Irish Centre have now been submitted to Birmingham City Council and we look forward to working closely with officers and members as we continue to progress through planning.
“The scheme will provide modern city living in a key location, complementing the surrounding area and various high-rise developments coming forward in Digbeth such as Connaught Square, Lunar Rise and the recently consented Stone Yard. “The ongoing investment and regeneration and the combined ambition of these developments, represents a truly exciting time in the city.”
In January The Irish Centre relocated to a new home in Kings Heath where there are long-term plans to build a new hotel and conference centre.
Court Collaboration is now working with the Birmingham Irish Association to help maintain an active and prolonged presence in the Digbeth area.
Chief executive Maurice Malone added: “This development is just the kind of investment we’ve been crying out for in the area and will be a fantastic asset.
“There have been many false dawns so we’re really hopeful that it and others like it will come to fruition and add to the evolving city centre skyline.”