NEW 25 STOREY FOR THE GUN QUARTER GETS THE GREEN LIGHT
Regeneration of the Gun Quarter has taken another major step forward with the approval of a three-block development, with the tallest set to top 25 storeys.
53-68 Princip Street, at the corner of Lancaster Street & Princip Street, will see the creation of 337 rented homes
on a main thoroughfare into Birmingham City Centre.
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The site is being brought forward by Load Estates Ltd (Taylor Grange), with the aim of delivering a sustainably viable PRS (Private Rented Sector) development in three builds of 6, 11 & 25 storeys.
All three buildings will be grouped around courtyard gardens, providing high-quality landscaped amenity spaces.
Shared communal facilities, totalling 551sqm, will be prominent at ground floor level, each containing a reception area & lounge space; coupled with a games room, ‘WFH’ office space, gym, shared kitchen & dining areas.
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Despite concerns raised that the development would impact heritage assets, they (officers & planning committee) concluded that ‘the public benefits of the scheme outweighed any harm identified.‘
The present site, which includes vacant unlisted 20th-century industrial premises, a substation, car park & a pair of semi-detached HMO dwellings, can now be safely demolished.
Despite the approval, removal of the vacant former Turner Machine Tools Building, a non-designated heritage asset, caused Historic England to voice deep concerns that the loss would further eliminate the area’s proud heritage. Councillors could not muster up a remark regarding its loss.
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/6963015647_076b35fdca_o.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />IMAGE: Turner Machine Tools/ Roger Marks, Flickr.
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Once developed, apartments will range in size from 40- 80sqm and will see 146 one & 196 two-bedroom homes, created - providing a healthy mix of one, two, three & four-person accommodation.
16 of these apartments (4.7%) will be offered for affordable private rent—this is what the applicant can offer without rendering the development unviable.
To proceed, a S106 legal agreement will need to be agreed to secure these affordable homes into the scheme.
BLUE-BRICKED 25 STOREY
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The tallest block will feature a curved, blue-bricked 25 storey that will occupy a prominent corner facing onto both Princip Street & Lancaster Street. The others, at 6 & 11 storeys, will be predominately red-bricked.
Each block will provide activity at ground floor level and duplex units to enhance overlooking of the street frontages.
THE CHANGING FACE OF GQ
The cityscape around the area has changed significantly in recent years, helped by the publication of High Places document in 2003, with derelict sites around the canal and along Lancaster Street and Newtown Row continuing to be developed with residential & student accommodation—reaching upwards of 25 storeys.
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All renderings are the property of Glancy Nicholls Architects.