Go-ahead for skyscraper
51-storey flats backed for second time, despite protests
PLANS for what will become the second tallest building in Birmingham been approved by the council – again.
The planning committee gave the go-ahead for the 51-storey One Eastside project at the corner of James Watt Queensway and Jennens Road, at the former site of the CEAC building.
The plans were originally approved back in April 2020, but in December it was ruled that the project would have to go back before the planning committee after it emerged an objection by the Victorian Society was not included in a report to councillors.
However, the proposals, which include 667 apartments to rent, gardens and courtyards, a gym, cinema and sky lounge, have now been approved.
A spokesman for LaSalle Investment Management, which owns the Allegro apartments in Exchange Square opposite the site, claimed key information had been left out of the report to councillors, adding that the proposal would “significantly harm heritage assets”, and pointed to the representations of the Victorian Society.
The Victorian Society objected to the proposals on the basis that the site is close to a number of historic buildings, including notably the Grade I-listed Curzon Street Station and the Grade I-listed Victoria Law Courts.
But the views of Historic England, which said that the harm would be “less than substantial”, appeared to be the most influential in councillors’ minds.
Councillor
Gareth Moore
(Con,
Erdington) said: “I don’t think there’s any dispute in the fact that this building will cause harm, and that’s not entirely surprising given it’s going to be 51 storeys.
“It’s about weighing up what level of harm is caused, and I attach great weight to the representations from Historic England. In particular, they take the view that the harm will be ‘less than substantial’. So, this committee has previously approved that application, and considering all the information put before us, for me, I’m still of the view that this application is acceptable in planning terms.”