Plans go in for major Digbeth scheme to open up River Rea
NEW plans have been lodged for a major redevelopment of industrial land in Digbeth which would initially see more than 1,300 apartments built.
The masterplan, called Warners Fields as a nod to the area’s early industrial past, contains proposals for up to 3,000 residential units, flexible workspaces, shops, restaurants and other facilities for residents.
Two separate applications have now been lodged with Birmingham City Council, a hybrid plan with detailed elements for the majority of the site which would enable construction to start as soon as possible on land in developer Dandara’s ownership.
A second outline application is for the wider masterplan area which will set the context for future applications to be submitted, expected to include a series of buildings ranging from six to 29 storeys.
The development site is to the south of the huge Smithfield regeneration scheme on industrial land bounded by Moseley Street, Lombard
Street, MacDonald Street and Barford Street.
Dandara is planning to open up the River Rea, which runs through the middle of the application site, to make it a key part of the scheme.
There will also be cycleways, public space on both banks of the river and a potential linear park in Moseley Street.
The first phase of Warners Fields will include 1,351 new apartments to rent, which will be built and managed by Dandara Living.
It will also include the Henry Bradford Centre which has been designed to support start-ups and small businesses and whose name is a reference to the 18th century landowner and business figure who helped bring trade to this part of Birmingham.
Dandara Group director Ed Tynan said: “This submission marks a major milestone for Dandara and we can’t wait to get started creating a new neighbourhood that will transform this part of the city and be treasured for generations to come.”