Digbeth Bus Garage, Phase 1, Set For Approval

Exciting plans for the regeneration of Digbeth Bus Garage has taken a major step forward with Phase 1 & the outline plots 2-6 recommended for approval on December 3rd, 2020.

In total, a bustling community containing 1,250 new homes, up to 950 student accommodation, and vibrant ground floor commercial uses, will be formed.

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The application not only sees the full planning application of Phase 1: The Metalworks, but also introduces outline plans for plots 2-6, which will arrive in more depth over the coming years.

Spread over two parcels of land (see above), the redevelopment will help trigger wider regeneration growth in the area as supported by the Curzon Masterplan.

At present, the northern parcel is inhabited by National Express as a bus depot, with the southern parcel currently used as a car park.

Collaborating with National Express, HUB Group and their project team have formulated these below plans that will give NE the opportunity to move to new, efficient purpose-built facilities as they move towards an all-electric fleet over the next 10 years.

PHASE 1: METALWORKS

• Demolition of existing buildings & structures;
• Construction of part 7, 12 & 15 storey building;
• 213 residential units (104 one, 103 two & 6 three bedrooms);
• 1,375sqm non-residential flexible floorspace at ground floor (retail, food and beverage uses, office, community/cultural and/or leisure);
• Communal amenity garden for residents at 1st and 7th floors;
• 32 parking spaces and 222 cycle spaces;
• 10 affordable units (low cost home ownership at a discount of 20%);
• 350sqm affordable workspaces at 70% of market rent.

The site includes the demolition of Pandora's, partial demolition of Digbeth Bus Garage and the wall on Liverpool Street (see Google Street Maps).

Large swathes of the existing wall are to be sensitively retained, arches intact, and blended into Plot 1 and any future Plot 4 scheme, and used for commercial purposes.

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The tallest element is at the south-east corner of Adderley Street, which rises to 15 storeys, with the central area dropping down to 7 before ascending to 12 storeys at the junction of Liverpool Street.

This the most prominent corner which directly addresses the expected Midland Metro Tram stop in front of the site. The building will undoubtedly set the benchmark for further regeneration in the area.

Besides the apartments, a communal first & landscaped seventh-floor amenity garden will be incorporated, designed intending to create a healthy and altogether sustainable environment to live and work in.

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1,375sqm of ground floor commercial frontages will be mixed into the scheme, providing a variety of uses along Liverpool Street and Adderley Street.

These units are likely to house some of the following: a convenience food-store; retail; food and beverage units; offices; community/cultural uses; and/or leisure units. 

These will be subject to occupier demand.

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A policy compliant 35% affordable housing has been confirmed as not being financially viable. After careful negotiation, 10 units will be made available across Plot 1, with up to 51 units on Plots 2-6.

Provision for affordable workspaces will also be delivered across a minimum of 50% of the ground floor commercial area across the entire site and will be available at 70% market rent.

Plot 1 will feature 350sqm, with Plots 2 to 6 including a minimum of 1,596sqm and a maximum of 5,050sqm.

Right-click on the below image for a closer look at the phases.

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PHASES 2-6: Outline application & subject to more in-depth details (design & resi mix etc) over the coming years.

• Buildings ranging from 6 to 25 storeys;
• Up to 950 units of student accommodation;
• Up to 1,037 residential units (except maybe plots 5 & 6 - see pictures for ref);
• Student accommodation on Plots 5 & 6;
• Retail Floorspace between 1,470sqm and 8,725sqm;
• Office Floorspace of up to 7,080sqm;
• Community and Cultural Floorspace of up to 1,010sqm;
• Leisure Floorspace of up to 2,525sqm;
• Minimum of 1,596sqm and a maximum of 5,050sqm affordable workspaces.

Full in-depth design and thorough mix of residential units will be released in the form of Reserved Matters applications at a later stage.

Indicative heights​:dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Digbeth%20Central%20Bus%20Garage%20(1).jpg" />

& following the design code: how the site could look:

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PROJECT TEAM:
DEVELOPER: HUB Group
ARCHITECTS: shedkm/ Periscope Landscape 
QUANTITY SURVEYOR: Circle
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: CWA Engineering
ENERGY: Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW)

Artists Impressions from HUB Group & shedkm