Go-ahead expected for major university scheme

The go-ahead has been tipped for the second phase of a £60m plan to create new facilities for businesses, artists and academics in Birmingham.The plans for Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse two project will be debated by the council at a meeting on Thursday 9 May.Housing, communities and local government secretary James Brokenshire formally announced phase two of the scheme in July 2018.Overall, it is anticipated STEAMhouse will help create up to 10,000 jobs across the West Midlands region and help support the growth of the Midlands Engine.The proposals for the second phase include Part demolition, alterations and extensions to the former Belmont Works which was constructed in 1899 and used to manufacturer bicycle parts followed by clothing, bedsteads and pianos.The building was also used as an engineering depot and offices for the Co-operative society from the 1960s.The site in land off Cardigan Street, Jennens Road and Glassworks Lane would feature a new five-storey building to be used for teaching, commercial offices and research and development.The first phase of the Steamhouse project is located on Digbeth High Street with a floorspace of 15,000 sq ft and a range of spaces including co-working, project and production with equipment and technicians to support production and prototyping in digital, wood, metal and print.