Housing scheme backed for derelict site

The project will see 481 apartments created off Clyde Street, in Digbeth

Plans for hundreds of affordable new homes in part of Birmingham have met with initial approval.

The West Midlands Combined Authority agreed in principle to make a multi-million pound investment into plans for a new residential tower at the top end of Digbeth High Street, near Camp Hill.

The scheme features 481 apartments with more than half of them classed as affordable, including 141 for social rent.

All of the properties would be powered by solar panels and heat pumps, helping to reduce energy bills for residents, the authority said.

As well as hundreds of affordable new homes, the scheme, on the 1.3 acre (0.5 hectare) site of a derelict storage facility, off Clyde Street, would also include five commercial units and a pocket park, featuring dozens of trees.

The WMCA's decision will now be followed by negotiations with Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, who will create the scheme.