Planners back apartments proposed for industrial site

A block of more than 80 apartments will be built on a Birmingham industrial site after plans were approved at committee.Golden Bricks Estate Ltd brought forward proposals to transform land east of Icknield Street.Existing vacant industrial buildings will be demolished to make way for a new structure rising to six storeys.This will comprise 83 one- to three-bedroom properties, 50 per cent of which will be allocated as affordable.The ground floor of the building will be a basement providing 58 parking spaces, 100 cycle storage spaces, in addition to a service area for waste and recycling storage, general storage and plant rooms.A statement filed with Birmingham City Council on behalf of the applicant said: “The application proposals provide for the efficient and effective reuse of previously developed land in a sustainable location to provide much-needed new homes, including affordable housing, that will contribute to the pressing identified need within the city.”The proposed design of the development will result in a high-quality building that will help to enhance the street scene within the locality.”A report drawn up for Birmingham City Council’s planning committee – which met on 13 June – said: “The proposed residential units would make a meaningful contribution towards Birmingham’s housing shortfall and contribute towards the regeneration aspirations for this part of the city centre edge.”