366 New Homes For Moseley Street, Digbeth

Controversial plans to erect two new blocks containing 366 apartments adjacent to a busy public house, has finally been approved (10^th June 2021).

The scheme represents an opportunity to bring this desolate site back to life by delivering a high-quality scheme in a prominent location.

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This derelict, unkempt site is connected by Moseley Street, Moseley Road and Cheapside, and within proximity to Highgate Park.

Rainier Developments are now free to transform the site with the delivery of 366 new one, two & three-bedroom homes (42-91sqm) in two ‘U-shaped’ blocks of 5 and 8 storeys tall.

Designed by BDP Architects, the development inherently responds to the gradient of Moseley Street and incorporates architecture and features that are truly distinctive and relatable to the character and history of the area.

A fresh £500,000 pedestrianised street named 'Park Lane' will dissect the site by providing a superbly designed landscaped public thoroughfare between Cheapside and Moseley Street, enhancing permeability and adding further informal animation to the area.

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Vibrant ground floor uses of both blocks will each contain amenity areas, including lounges, concierge, bike stores and other back of house facilities.

Two spacious private courtyards, 1,608sqm in total, will also be provided, with at least a third of the flats having access to private amenity space via a garden, roof terrace or balcony.

A car-free development, the scheme ultimately reacts to the emerging Rea Valley Urban Quarter SPD by allocating 388 secure cycle spaces instead; and these will be available on the ground floor of each block.

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING

147 one, 207 two, 12 three-bedroom apartments (1-5 persons) will be delivered here, including 33 affordable one & two-bed units. These will be available for low-cost home ownership (9%).

To further support contribution, the Park Lane public realm works, as mentioned above, will cost around £500K, providing the equivalent of 12% affordability.

NOISE ISSUES - MITIGATION MEASURES IN PLACE

However, the proposal wasn't without its troubles. It all stems from 46 flats that will face Cleary’s Irish Bar.

Various noise assessments were undertaken, but an agreement could not be reached between Cleary’s & Rainier. This ultimately led to councillors voting to side with the Public House before voting to ‘defer minded to refuse’ on May 13^th 2021.

Although it is widely accepted that the vast majority of units would enjoy a suitable noise environment, a planning balance needed to be struck and was indeed struck. 

The development was approved 7-3, with all 46 apartments within Block B now requiring careful assessment & noise mitigation measures moving forward.

All parties agreed that all affected units will be fitted with mechanical ventilation systems, acoustic glazing & their windows sealed to protect both residents & Cleary’s.

The level of glazing will be dependent on the results of an additional noise survey prior to the occupation of the building.

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All images the property of BDP Architects