Huge city centre towers get go-ahead

Plans to build multiple new towers in the heart of Birmingham have been given the green light by planners.

Five new buildings form part of the proposals for the former Axis Building on Holliday Street, including a 49-storey residential skyscraper as well as student accommodation and apartments.

However, the plans were approved on Thursday only after a major change was made to the housing mix which satisfied councillors.

The buildings will be based around a public square, which a council report said would be a "significant public realm improvement".

Buildings one and two of the scheme will be residential towers, 49 and 39 storeys high, and comprise 868 residential units across them both.

The student residential tower was proposed to feature 29 storeys and provide room for 720 people, as well as a food hall at lower levels.

The fourth building is set to be used as a hotel with 229 serviced apartments while the fifth, a residential building, will deliver 122 homes across 10 storeys.

Those behind the project said the development could become a "dynamic new destination" in Birmingham city centre and create a "vibrant, lively atmosphere" on the site, which is now a cleared plot of land.

The change in the plans will see the 122 homes now being "for sale", rather than build to rent.

Another concern raised by one councillor about a building being made up of one-bedroom flats has also been met with a council officer stating that the housing mix can be supported in the "inner central area".

Councillor Gareth Moore said: "I do welcome the change - we should be allowing families the opportunity to live in the city centre.

"We shouldn't assume everyone that does is a single, young professional because that isn't the case."

Lee Marsham, chair of the planning committee, said: "I think it's great to see a brownfield site put forward and brought into use.

"I think it's good that they listened from our previous comments."

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This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.