Funding secured for Port Loop’s next phase

The next phase of Birmingham residential development Port Loop has been backed with a £13m investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).Joint venture partners Urban Splash and Places for People have marked the start of a new phase at the scheme.The partners have been transforming the historic, 43-acre canalside site, already providing 105 homes – all of which are completed and fully occupied. The partners, working with Birmingham Council and the Canal & River Trust, have also created a one-acre public park.Early works are now underway on a new phase which is being supported by the WMCA funding. The homes in this phase include 58 apartments designed by architects shedkm.Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “Port Loop is an initiative that is about more than just building houses. It marks a substantial and collective commitment to increasing the provision of affordable homes in our region – regenerating derelict brownfield sites and transforming them into vibrant communities.”Our focus remains on ensuring that these homes meet the needs of local residents and help us stay on track to continue meeting our housing targets to build at least 215,000 homes by 2031.”The joint venture partners are also moving forward with a further 500 homes having applied for planning for the next phases. Future proposals include a 31-house scheme designed by shedkm, plus a phase of 331-apartments designed by Howells – a phase which will feature a new public park and residential green spaces.Places for People’s managing director of placemaking and regeneration, Sammie Steele, said: “We are delighted to continue our work at Port Loop, outlining our future plans to deliver more much-needed homes here, and extending this unique new community.”We really enjoyed showing mayor Street around the site and sharing our vision for Port Loop as we transform more of this land into a sustainable new place in which everyone can thrive.”Adam Willetts of Urban Splash added: “Port Loop is a unique site, and we are looking forward to taking our ambitious plans to the next stage; our newest homes and proposals are a result of great collaboration and partnership working with Places for People, our design team, and key stakeholders.”