Approval tipped for £1bn regeneration scheme

Plans for a £1bn transformation of the area around the iconic Custard Factory in Birmingham’s Digbeth area have been recommended for approval.Oval is seeking the go-ahead for the scheme which would include up to 2.2 million sq ft of commercial space and 1,850 homes alongside shops, resturants, cafes and additional leisure facilities.According to the applicant, more than 16,000 jobs will be created if the green light is given by Birmingham City Council for the 42-acre scheme.The application has been put together by Studio Egret West as well as Glenn Howells Architects and Bryant Priest Newman.If granted, a phased approach will be used, starting with an extension to the Custard Factory itself, Custard Factory Living and Wild Works.Designed by Studio Egret West, Wild Works would comprise a cluster of four new buildings to provide office space, communal incubator workspace and a restaurant. It would rise up to eight storeys.The Custard Factory rooftop extension, designed by Glenn Howells Architects, would provide three additional storeys to form a garden and open plan offices.Also designed by the firm, the Custard Factory Living scheme would be the first residential accommodation to be delivered as part of the framework.It would comprise of 40 new homes with ground floor retail and café uses along the River Rea and would be connected to the Custard Factory by a new bridge.