Ladywood Canalside Scheme Set For Approval

An outline canalside application goes to planning committee next week, with approval recommended - but major changes to the scheme could well be on the way.

Early plans will see the site feature five interconnected blocks of up to 9 storeys, comprising up to 260 apartments - all located on a triangular parcel of land containing a number of dilapidated buildings.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/rochda (3).png" style="width: 100%;" />

With the demolition of site firmly established back in 2017, the former Auto Service site at Icknield Port Road and Osler Street site includes early plans that could well see five interconnected blocks of up to 9 storeys.

Comprising up to 260 one, two & three-bedroom apartments, the site will see various roof gardens, an internal residents' courtyard, underground car park, and a publicly accessible canal-side terrace.

As it's an outline application, the developer behind these plans, The Rochda Group, only seek approval for access, layout and scale, with matters relating to appearance and landscaping due in reserved matters application form in the near future.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/rochda%20(4).png" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/rochda%20(1).png" />

The aim is to create fluid connectivity between the site and the wider area, through an unrestricted publicly assessable walkway from Osler Street to the south, to an area of public amenity, sited to the site’s northern end, in the form of a canal-side terrace.

It could also trigger future development with the potential to connect the walkway with a pedestrian bridge over the canal - providing access directly to the reservoir and the adjacent Port Loop redevelopment.

239 car parking spaces are earmarked–although again, these could well be dropped. Cycle spaces for 269 will too be provided alongside a smattering of EV charging points.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/rochda%20(2).png" />

VIABILITY CONCERNS & GRANT FUNDING

The development has had a viability assessment and has been concluded as being as only ‘marginally viable’ without grant funding–it currently offers zero affordable housing or public open space - but this could change.

Rochda is keen to explore grant funding, which could come from West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), or from an affordable housing provider.

A condition of any potential funding would likely see the provision of a minimum 20% on-site affordable housing.

Either way, even with outline approval, the viability of the scheme will need to be examined if grant funding is indeed secured or amendments to the current design are proposed in the near future (i.e: removal of the underground car park).

Certainly, one to keep an eye out for!

Renderings & drawings from The Rochda Group.