Plans for university health research hub revealed
PLANS have been revealed for a new research hub as part of a health innovation campus near the University of Birmingham.
An application to Birmingham City Council’s planning committee includes a seven-storey office and research development building.
The building – located at land to the east of Aston Webb Boulevard and west of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal – will be home to the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA).
The University of Birmingham facility will research medical treatments and “how they can be used within certain groups of people”.
The building will also provide a hub for businesses working in medtech, biopharma, precision medicine, healthcare AI and genomics.
The application from Birmingham
Health Innovation Campus Ltd also includes a cafe, a temporary surface car park, as well as landscaping and an internal spine road connecting to a site access point at the Queen Elizabeth Island roundabout.
But Historic England has raised concerns over the “impact on nearby heritage assets”.
This includes the “loss of views” of the Roman Forts at Metchley and Grade II* listed buildings at the University including the ‘Old Joe’ clock tower and the Great Hall.
Two letters from objectors were also received, claiming the building is too high, impacting the landmarks.
The recommendation for approval from states: “The proposed hybrid application will deliver a health and innovation campus that will have substantial economic benefits for the locality.”