City's £1.9bn Smithfield project set for approval

The plans could transform the former Birmingham wholesale markets near the Bullring shopping centre into a landmark new destination

The Birmingham Smithfield plans have been recommended for approval again after a key amendment was made to the major city centre redevelopment.

Under the plans for the Birmingham Smithfield development, the city's former wholesale markets could be turned into a new landmark destination including residential living, offices, a park, retail and cultural spaces.

A council report stated the applicant had committed to a 23% increase in the minimum size of Smithfield Park following previous concerns.

The proposal will be considered next week, subject to the completion of a legal agreement.

Previously Smithfield Park and Manor Square were two areas of concern among councillors.

Revised proposals were deferred at a planning committee last month.

There had also been concerns regarding the size of Manor Square and its ability to be used for events such as the annual Pride festivities.

Developer 'stepping back'

A new report this month stated that it could host events of “varying scales” whilst also functioning for everyday use.

“The applicant provided an indicative event capacity study, which shows an indicative 6,900 people capacity event,” it said.

“This information shows that Manor Square is of sufficient space to accommodate large scale public events whilst also being flexible in the nature and scale of events that could be programmed throughout the year."

The benefits the development could include the creation of new jobs, further investment in the area, housing, a new public square and publicly accessible open space, the report added.

However, Lendlease, the group behind the £1.9bn proposal, said last month it would be stepping back from UK construction, with development and construction becoming "Australia only’".

A spokesperson for Lendlease told the Local Democracy Reporting Service in May: “We’re working hard on securing a planning consent to regenerate this 17-hectare site in the heart of the city and look forward to presenting our application again in the near future.”

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