Plans for £1.9bn Smithfield project approved

Thousands of new homes along with office and retail space are part of the Smithfield Birmingham development plans

The Birmingham Smithfield project has been approved by the city council's planning committee after a key amendment was made.

The £1.9bn development will see the city's former wholesale markets turned into a new landmark destination in the city centre including more than 3,000 new homes, offices and retail and cultural spaces.

A decision on the scheme was postponed by councillors in May over concerns at the size of the proposed Smithfield Park within the scheme - the firm behind the project committed to a 23% increase to the park's minimum size in response.

Revised plans for the scheme were agreed at a planning meeting on Thursday.

Construction was expected to start in late 2024 with the project delivered in four phases over the next 15 years.

The decision came after questions were raised in May when developers Lendlease, the group behind the plans, said it would step back from construction on its UK projects with development and construction becoming "Australia only’".

At the time, the firm said it would look for investors for the construction of its projects in the UK that would historically have been funded with its own money.

Birmingham Pride concerns

There were also concerns about the size of Manor Square and its ability to be used for future events such as Birmingham Pride.

Historic England also initially objected to the scheme, claiming it would harm the way the city looked and disturb medieval remains.

The proposal was updated to address the objection from Historic England and to respond to changes as a result of the Building Safety Act, Lendlease said.

While Rhiannon Hill, a council planning officer, told the meeting on Thursday that Birmingham Pride had removed their objection to the proposal.

She said following discussions with Lendlease they were satisfied the short-term future of the event was secure and the developer would work with them to accommodate the event where possible throughout the development of the scheme.

Construction was expected to start later in 2024

John Cotton, the leader of the city council, said the development would "transform the area" and create "a new community in the heart of our city".

Colin Murphy, from Lendlease, said they would keep talking to tenants, residents and others about "this once in a generation opportunity”.

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