Major Jewellery Quarter project set to move forward

Plans to partially demolish buildings on a 3.7-acre site in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter to make way for a major mixed-use development featuring hundreds of apartments and commercial space look set to be approved.The plot fronting Northwood Street, James Street, Graham Street, Brook Street, Newhall Street and Regent Place is currently occupied by engineering companies AW Harris and Baker and Finnemore.In a design and access statement prepared by Glenn Howells Architects, the land is said to present a “significant opportunity as the single largest development within the Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area”.It has been earmarked for redevelopment by Northwood Street Ltd, a joint venture between Apsley House Capital and Galliard Homes, to create a new neighbourhood known as Harper’s Hill.Under the plans, four buildings sad to have historic merit would be retained, including listed properties at 109 Northwood Street and 199 Newhall Street.Overall, Harper’s Hill would comprise more than 20 buildings, providing 305 apartments, 98,296 sq ft of commercial space and new public realm.The scheme has been recommended for approval ahead of a Birmingham City Council planning committee meeting next week (24 October 2019).It is the second time the project will go before the committee; similar plans comprising 320 apartments and 87,575 sq ft were debated in January.In a document filed ahead of next week’s meeting, officers said the proposals “have required careful balancing of the objections against the public benefits”.Final approval is subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement. Among the terms is the provision of more than 17,000 sq ft of affordable workspace.