Major 830-bed student scheme approved in Selly Oak

The redevelopment of the former Selly Oak Sainsbury’s into an 836-bed student accommodation scheme has been approved today in Birmingham City Council’s planning committee meeting.GHL (Selly Oak) Ltd, a joint venture between Apsley House Capital and Galliard Homes, acquired the brownfield site last year, expanding its Birmingham-centric property portfolio.Architected by Corstorphine + Wright, the development will feature two buildings, standing at four and six storeys, accommodating a total of 836 student beds.This includes 364 en-suite rooms and 472 studios, along with new retail and commercial areas.Aiming to revitalise Bristol Street, it will introduce a new medical facility for the local community, and improve connectivity with four public amenity areas, featuring public realm spaces, a plaza, a preserved Selly Oak tree, and a central link street.Residents will enjoy amenities such as a gym, cinema, study rooms, wellness areas, and lounges, complemented by small private courtyards and roof terraces.The site will also provide parking facilities including 34 spaces for the medical center, three loading bays, four disabled student bays, and 472 bicycle spaces distributed across the development.The scheme was originally rejected, based on concerns about its scale and density that would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the area.