Turley Associates are holding a public exhibition on Saturday 3 December in Springhill Library/Tesco Foyer between 10am and 2pm in order to consult the public on the Birmingham Assay Office’s proposals to relocate to a new location in the Jewellery Quarter in 2013.


http://jqnf.net/2011/11/30/public-consultation-exhibition-for-new-assay-office-3-december-2011/

http://jqnf.net/2011/11/30/public-consultation-exhibition-for-new-assay-office-3-december-2011/
^^
Had a look at the proposals on Saturday, quite a large proposal that extends right back to Moreton Street.
The developer was saying that interest in the St George's scheme had tripled in the last few months and though unable to comment at present, stated they hoped to make further announcments of complimentary schemes coming on line on the back of this. The hotel scheme mooted for this site was, all being well, being moved elsewhere within the larger scheme.
The new Assay office would include a Visitor centre and conference facilities, which they hoped would become a further attraction for the Jewellry quarter and attract considerable visitor numbers.
I asked about any 136 monies to improve the Public Realm directly outside the proposed development ( ie the public toilets area). They reckon there is no money within the Assay office envelope for this, but the St Georges scheme as a whole once going, is looking to renovate this "traingle of land", they would optimistically like to think of a street cafe, but felt it would probably end up with a Public Art piece within an improved landscaping of the area.

So does the new Assay office take up the entire square of land between the ring road (by the defunct toilets and triangle of land), Carver St, Pope St and Moreton St? If so, it's going to be big. It will also mean demolishing some buildings there that I didn't think was part of St Georges.

http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/nao_new-building.html

http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/images/new-building-pics.jpg

I really like what I'm seeing in that 3rd set - nice use of repetition and proportions. I'm guessing this is showing the progression of the design process rather than 3 potential options?

From the Post

An eyesore site in Birmingham city centre is to be transformed in a multi-million pound offices and hotel scheme.

Council bosses are close to concluding a deal to redevelop two acres of Great Charles Street, currently used as a car park.

The move resurrects ambitious proposals for a surface-level pedestrian crossing linking the Colmore Business District and the Jewellery Quarter.

Council leaders signalled this week that removal of the "awful" walkway bridge, which is the only method of crossing the A38 as it thunders through the centre of Birmingham, would be a priority issue for the Great Charles Street scheme.

Talks have been on and off with developers Abstract Land and Dandara since the two partners offered to buy the valuable site in 2006.

The credit crunch and economic turndown put paid to a swift resolution, but the land will now be developed in four phases over eight years.

Council cabinet members agreed in principle to a scheme that is expected to deliver offices, shops, a hotel and multi-storey car park.

The cabinet was told that more than 2,500 jobs could be created when all building work has been completed.

The land has a tortured history over many years and was once earmarked for Birmingham's new coach station. That idea fell through after National Express deemed the project too expensive and decided to rebuild the coach station in Digbeth.

A deal to sell the Great Charles Street site to HGB Properties for about £23 million collapsed in the summer of 2006, but the council announced shortly afterwards that Abstract Land and Dandara were to acquire the land.

Council leader Mike Whitby said he hoped new government methods allowing local authorities to pay for infrastructure projects through tax incremental funding schemes and revenue from business rates, could be used to meet the huge cost of joining up the two Queensway tunnels.

Coun Whitby (Con Harborne) added that better connectivity between Colmore Row and the Jewellery Quarter would help to stimulate business activity.

Cabinet member Martin Mullaney highlighted the prospect of a new walkway joining "Birmingham's two great churches" of St Philip's in Colmore Row and St Paul's in the Jewellery Quarter.

Deputy council leader Paul Tilsley said that anyone using the "awful bridge" crossing Great Charles Street was "taking their life in their hands".

Coun Tilsley (Lib Dem Sheldon) added: "There has to be a long term strategy to join up Church Street and Ludgate Hill. This is a vision we have to cling on to and hold dear because it would do an enormous amount for the Jewellery Quarter as a business and tourism destination."

Cabinet member for regeneration, Tim Huxtable, said the two developers were keen to work with the council on a connectivity strategy.

Coun Huxtable (Con Bournville) added: "This is a strategically important site which is in the Jewellery Quarter conservation area. Any development will be handled in a sensitive manner."

Although the council will receive a significant capital sum when it sells the site, it will lose almost £300,000 a year when the existing surface-level car park is closed to allow development to take place. A new multi-storey car park, to be built in the first phase of development, will be privately owned.

Coun Huxtable said he was having "meaningful discussions" with cabinet colleagues about ways of addressing an £850,000 shortfall in income from council car parks across Birmingham since the beginning of the financial year.

The latest budget forecasts before the cabinet warn that parking income may fall further as economic difficulties begin to bite.

http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/nao_new-building.html

http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/images/new-building-pics.jpg
^^
A new takeaway the "Clucking Bell" as opened on Ickneild Street on the end of the small retail frontages behind the toilet block and next to the new planned Assay Office...could Ickneild Street be coming back to life after years in the wilderness!

^^
A new takeaway the "Clucking Bell" as opened on Ickneild Street on the end of the small retail frontages behind the toilet block and next to the new planned Assay Office...could Ickneild Street be coming back to life after years in the wilderness!

Inspired by Grand Theft Auto San Andreas per chance?

So are the council seriously considering joining the 2 queensway tunnels by lowering the A38 inbetween then creating a wide footbridge (now at ground level) connecting church st to ludgate st? Or have I totally misunderstood. That really is the best solution and would truly integrate the JQ into the city centre.

So are the council seriously considering joining the 2 queensway tunnels by lowering the A38 inbetween then creating a wide footbridge (now at ground level) connecting church st to ludgate st? Or have I totally misunderstood. That really is the best solution and would truly integrate the JQ into the city centre.
^^
I fear this is just talk, would love to see it happen and maybe if we get our own Mayor with a budget to match, AND he supports the idea we may see this come to fruition. It would probably pass planning in London in weeks, but this is the provinces, big infrastructure projects died out in the late 60's and early 70's :bash:

BIRMINGHAM should get its very own Angel of the North – in the shape of a city Anchor celebrating nearly 240 years of jewellery hallmarking.

Retired city GP and former Aston Villa club doctor Dr Barrie Smith is calling for an Angel of the North-style structure in the Jewellery Quarter to rival the North Eastern icon.

Dr Smith, a consultant physician in Sandwell from 1971 to 1998 and club doctor at Villa Park for 28 years, says Birmingham lacks a symbol to promote the city – and the Jewellery Quarter site housing the new Assay Office could fit the bill.

In August it was announced that the Assay Office, the biggest of its kind in the world and originally founded in 1773, was relocating to brand new headquarters on a plot of land at St Georges.

Dr Smith, of Kingsbury Road, Erdington, said: “It is excellent news that Birmingham is to retain its hallmark and assay office. The hallmark is a true mark of distinction, not enjoyed by cities such as Manchester.

“Whenever the topic is raised however, I always feel a touch of regret that we do not make more of the Anchor, a highly distinctive and evocative feature.

“I am not sure what feature on photographs makes Birmingham instantly recognisable to most people – it used to be the Rotunda, now perhaps the Floozie or the Bull or Spaghetti Junction.

“I have travelled frequently to the North East and the exciting feature that heralds Newcastle/Gateshead is the Angel of the North.

“Could we have a comparable structure that is instantly recognisable as symbolising Birmingham – the Anchor?

“The obvious site for the Anchor would be the Jewellery Quarter.” Dr Smith, who has written to the Birmingham Assay Office outlining his views, suggests funds for a city Anchor could be raised from retailers, manufacturers, designers, trade associations and others.

The Assay Office move emerged just weeks after the Birmingham centre was saved after the Government announced it was preserving hallmarking as a practice.



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2012/01/02/angel-of-the-north-plan-for-birmingham-97319-30044250/#ixzz1iIrQMa9q

Anybody interested in purchasing the out of commission toilets on Icknield St/Carver St and the small triangle of land, it's being offered at the next Bigwood auction on 1st March. Guide Price of £30,000. Might make a small funky office, I guess.

Anybody interested in purchasing the out of commission toilets on Icknield St/Carver St and the small triangle of land, it's being offered at the next Bigwood auction on 1st March. Guide Price of £30,000. Might make a small funky office, I guess.
^^
Or a respectable coffee outlet.....:)

How about combining the last two bits of news and have a piece of public art where the derelict toilets are?

2 apps for a development in the JQ

Application Details
Application Number 2012/01001/PA
Application Type Listed Building
Site Address Sloane House 1-7 Sloane Street Birmingham B1 3BX
Proposal Listed building consent for restorative work to exterior of 1-7 Sloane Street and renovation and restorative internal works. Removal of internal partition walls to Sloane House and creation of internal walls to form the division into 4 town houses. Demolition of 2 storey rear lean-to at 1-7 Sloane Street and selective demolition of buildings within curtilage of 1-7 Sloane Street and erection of replacement 2 storey extension.

Application Details
Application Number 2012/00952/PA
Application Type Full Planning
Site Address Camden St/Sloane St/Camden Drive/Legge Lane land at Jewellery Quarter Birmingham B1 3EH
Proposal Redevelopment consisting of new build, refurbishment and selective demolition to provide 25 townhouses and 86 apartments and associated development

I wish the UCB would do something similar with their site on Legge Lane, hopefully this careful approach nearby will put them under pressure. In my opinion this is the type of development the JQ needs.

That second planning app looks to be a variation of an earlier one for the site. I'll have to check the app itself, but I remember the earlier app was far from inspiring.

That first app is really good though. I seem to remember that there were worries recently that Sloane House was at risk of demolition so to see this plan to convert it into town houses after years of dereliction is fantastic. It's a fine building. This particular part of the Jewellery Quarter was always going to be the most tricky to regenerate but it looks like things are slowly moving along well.

Looks like the JQ is going to do its own plan:

http://jqnf.net/2012/02/15/we-need-a-cunning-plan-part-two/

Open meeting for residents on 28th February.

You may recall I blogged about the Jewellery Quarter’s future and the Neighbourhood Planning process back in December. That post generated some articulate and considered responses:

Jan said: ‘I moved to the jq because of the lovely buildings and the mix of industry and residential properties…if we want to create a community here there has to be a mix that encourages a wider residential basis…the area has become more vibrant attracting people to visit for work and play…we do need to tip the balance a little further in utilising gorgeous empty buildings.’

Prof G said: ‘There is a case for celebrating and asserting the value of the Quarter as heritage, and I think this is entirely compatible with the types of new businesses that are coming into the Quarter. Without those, and the residents who make a long term commitment to the area, the gains of the past few years will be lost. It will work best as an urban (urbane?) village, and this will mean compromise to squeeze in the best modern life has to offer, together with our rich heritage.’

Matt B said: ‘We need to ask some fundamental questions of all stakeholders (jewellery, other businesses, residents, visitors): What needs to happen to keep you here? What will make you prosper? Where do you want to be located? Why are you here in the first place?’

Sound advice. But it represents the views of about 0.1% of the population of the JQ and now the Prince’s Foundation are coming back, in March, to continue the scoping work of seeing exactly how a Neighbourhood Plan might help the JQ become the place spoken of by Jan, Prof G and Matt B. Some aspects of their visit will be open to all, and some parts by invitation only to keep the numbers manageable. The JQNF will be attending the invitation-only sessions and representing the views of residents. We need to hear from you what you want for the future of the JQ. And so I’m starting a process off now, right now, that will enable us to stand up at the workshops and deliver the verdict of the residents on what we think the JQ needs.

So, let’s kick it off here and now. Give us your views on what you think will improve the JQ, while keeping the balance between industry, heritage and residential amenity that attracted many of us to live here in the first place. Email us (infoATjqnfDOTorg) photos of what you think are the gems of the JQ, and the eye-sores. Come along to our JQNF Open Meeting on the 28th February and have your say.

Don’t miss out on YOUR chance to shape where you live.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6910536413_9d19b64869_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bs0u10e0/6910536413/)
Demolition works starting on Regent Parade for the construction of 6 town houses.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6910507581_241c52bae2_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bs0u10e0/6910507581/)

UCB building development, demolition works complete at corner of Charlotte and Holland Street, retaining facade of old factory building.

This is the James Cond factory or next door to it right? And just across on the Newhall Street site I saw some guys with hats and high viz jackets with clipboards surveying the area, less than a week ago.

http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii569/cre8tion2012/01.jpg

Image from Jewellery Quarter application of the view down Sloane Street
Application Number 2012/00952/PA

That looks very nice indeed .Welcome to the boards Crea8tion .

That does look good ... welcome indeed Crea8tion!

http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii569/cre8tion2012/16.jpg

Birds eye view of the full development at Camden Street, Jewellery Quarter, former school building on Legge Lane to the top left, Sloane House shown in the centre, BMW carpark shown in the foreground.

Jesus Christ that's far bigger than I realised! Fantastic that they're incorporating the old school into the development and those old factory units are finally seeing the end of their days. I'm not a fan of massive developments in the Jewellery Quarter or Digbeth but this really seems top class.

This looks like a nice little development

Application Details
Application Number 2012/01340/PA
Application Type Full Planning
Site Address 34-35 Tenby Street Birmingham B1 3EE
Proposal Redevelopment to create 7 no. live/work town houses, 2 no. apartments and 2 no. office units.

Sefton, is that opposite the Rathbone Society building on that derelict piece of land on what I assume used to be or is currently a car park?

Nah the land still has a building on it. It's vacant at the moment, though. It's too narrow to really be used as a car park, I'd imagine.

It previously had planning permission to be converted into 13 live/work units. Good to see more piecemeal development here.

Just thought I would post these pictures from today - call me the new Ell Brown...

This is an absolutely stunning building I found just wasting away in the back streets of the jewellery quarter - would make a wicked apartment block.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6949128079_d86ceb36da_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6949128079/)
056 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6949128079/) by Roachy77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/roachy77/), on Flickr

St Paul's Church - absolutely beautiful. We MUST link this part of the city with the existing city centre, other cities including London would kill for a square like this.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6949132151_e1a1251034_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6949132151/)
073 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6949132151/) by Roachy77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/roachy77/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6803025792_2f321cf583_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6803025792/)
087 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6803025792/) by Roachy77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/roachy77/), on Flickr

Ludgate Hill...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6803028130_401227fc04_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6803028130/)
093 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6803028130/) by Roachy77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/roachy77/), on Flickr

The streetscapes in the JQ are just wicked - I absolutely love the place. Cant wait until the Metro is finished as I find it tough to get the missus to walk down there at the mo but when we are there its fantastic.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6949130043_fbd491a4ed_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6949130043/)
060 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6949130043/) by Roachy77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/roachy77/), on Flickr

Just thought I would post these pictures from today - call me the new Ell Brown...

This is an absolutely stunning building I found just wasting away in the back streets of the jewellery quarter - would make a wicked apartment block.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6949128079_d86ceb36da_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roachy77/6949128079/)


The ground floor could make a lovely bar/restaurant with those windows.

Great photos Qoasis, walking around the Jewellery Quarter is great for photography, so many interesting buildings.

The ground floor could make a lovely bar/restaurant with those windows.

And from the looks of the size of that first floor, it could make a cracking studio space!

I've always liked this building. It appeared in some articles at the end of last year. The bar/restaurant idea was looked into unfortunately it doesn't fit in with the planning requirements for the jq regards to change of use. According to this article (http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/businesslatest/2011/10/28/city-council-rejects-modernisation-plans-of-victorian-factory-in-jewellery-quarter-65233-29680673/).

What I found puzzling though is that estate agents show it as having permission, like here. (http://www.commercial-property.co.uk/standard-works-284)

Preparation for building - Corner of Regent Parade and Regent Place

Monday 5th March 2012
http://i41.tinypic.com/6h6kuv.jpg

Before
http://i40.tinypic.com/295wyol.jpg

Also see a progress pic on February 20th, 2012, 05:00 PM - post #1019

:pepper: Great to see the smaller developments moving at least!

http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii569/cre8tion2012/1.jpg

Part of the planning application for the Jewellery Quarter redevelopment around, Camden Street, Sloane Street and Camden Drive. This is the former St Pauls Schoolhouse off Legge Lane, the proposal is to retain and stabilise the building and insert a new structure to form the apartments. The existing trusses are stunning and will be exposed in each apartment. The windows on the Legge Lane elevation wil be unblocked to provide passers by a view to the roof structure.

Application Number 2012/00952/PA

Reading through that app, I can't find anything that I have issues with in that scheme. It's absolutely brilliant!

Reading through that app, I can't find anything that I have issues with in that scheme. It's absolutely brilliant!

Totally agree we need more of this.Though im an odd person i just wouldnt feel comfortable in living in a tarted up school or Barn for that matter,but if this kind of renovation into apartments is necessary to save the overall building im all for it.

http://birminghamnewsroom.com/2012/03/photo-call-new-chapter-begins-for-jewellery-quarter/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Photo-call

When: 12.15 Monday 12th March

Where: Dayus Square at junction of Carver Street, Legge Street and Albion Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

The family of former Birmingham author, Kathleen Dayus, will join Cllr Timothy Huxtable from Birmingham City Council to open a new £300,000 square named after her in the Jewellery Quarter.

A new chapter in the historic story of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter will begin this week with the opening of a new public square dedicated to a local author whose books won critical acclaim for the way they described the social history of the city.

In a project run by Birmingham City Council the newly christened ‘Dayus Square’, at the junction of Carver Street, Legge Street and Albion Street in the Jewellery Quarter, has undergone £300,000 worth of public realm, art, pedestrian and traffic improvements, developed in conjunction with local residents.

The new square has been named after critically acclaimed local author, Kathleen Dayus, who used the nearby George and Dragon public house as a prominent setting throughout her books and grew up close by on Camden Drive.

In honour of this literary and historical heritage the square will feature a specially designed piece of public art comprising a bronze sculpture of pages from a book containing passages about the Jewellery Quarter from Dayus’ work.

Other improvements made as part of the project, funded through a section 106 agreement, include new pedestrian crossings and footways, paving based on historic cobbling, and the first new street trees installed in the Jewellery Quarter for many years.

Cllr Timothy Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Regeneration, said; “This project will not only enhance the quality of life and the street scene in the immediate vicinity, but will also further enhance and celebrate the cultural heritage which makes the Jewellery Quarter such a unique and renowned attraction.“

Born in Hockley, Birmingham, in 1903, Dayus is best known for a series of autobiographical novels based on her experiences as a child and as an adult growing up within the close knit, yet impoverished, back-to-back communities within the city.

Awarded an honorary degree from the University of Birmingham in 1992, her collective works were published as a single volume in 2006 called The Girl from Hockley: Growing Up in Working-Class Birmingham, a book which featured as Radio 4’s Book of the Week upon being published.

Dayus also won the prestigious J.R.Ackerley Prize for Autobiography in 1982, a prize later won by such luminaries as Alan Bennett, John Osbourne and Germaine Greer. She died in 2006 a couple of weeks short of her 100th birthday

The former George and Dragon pub is currently vacant and in a poor state of repair, however the City Council is working with the owner to bring forward proposals to return it to its original use with the addition of new hotel accommodation.

David Mahony Chair of the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, said:” Kathleen’s stories are so redolent and help us to understand what thing are, how they were so and why it important to cherish this unique place. I recall her well and we really miss her, although she is still the ‘James Herriot of the Quarter’, and the JQDT hopes to link all those places she describes so well into a walk and this square is just the start.”

I've been looking for a £300.000 Dayus square development in and around Albion street, only to discover I walked right through/over it and did'nt even notice it...money well spent???

On a seperate note, does anyone know if Kenyon Forge as ever been marketed since completion? There appears to be a little bit of commercial occupation on the ground floor here and there but no residential occupation that I can see, would be nice to see the development buzzing a bit.

I've been looking for a £300.000 Dayus square development in and around Albion street, only to discover I walked right through/over it and did'nt even notice it...money well spent???

There's always one negative so-and-so isn't there. What did you expect? fountains, cherubs and a 50 foot gold plated statue of Kathleen Dayus?

Before:

http://s1174.photobucket.com/albums/r608/Gibbonsorbet/IMAG0585.jpg

After:

http://s1174.photobucket.com/albums/r608/Gibbonsorbet/20111209_111218.jpg



Bespoke, innovative design
Granite & other premium heritage materials
Solid bronze public artwork
Minimal lining and signing
In keeping with the Conservation Area
Reduced traffic speeds and enhanced pedestrian safety.

Looks like 300k well spent to me.

Article in the BP today saying that the heritage body are split on the merits f the Camden Street, Sloane Street and Camden Drive scheme due to the loss of some of the buildings.

I personally like this scheme as it is just the sort of thing the JQ needs rathert than UCB who seem to want to knock most of their buildings down on Legge Lane.

RE: Dayus Square.

More like Dayus junction.

It's a nice cobbled road junction, not a square.

RE: Dayus Square.

More like Dayus junction.

It's a nice cobbled road junction, not a square.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r608/Gibbonsorbet/kathleen-dayus-109665263.jpg

Nope, definitely a square.

There's always one negative so-and-so isn't there. What did you expect? fountains, cherubs and a 50 foot gold plated statue of Kathleen Dayus?

Bespoke, innovative design
Granite & other premium heritage materials
Solid bronze public artwork
Minimal lining and signing
In keeping with the Conservation Area
Reduced traffic speeds and enhanced pedestrian safety.

Looks like 300k well spent to me.
^^
Well a few £100 trees and £20 shrubs and some night time lighting might have impressed me a bit more, whilst of course not upsetting the "conservation" status :)

Application for change of use from factory to visitor attraction for the silver factory in Albion Street

54-56 Albion Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 3EA
Proposal Note: Planning application submitted for the change of use from a factory (use class B2) to a heritage visitor attraction (use class D1).
Development Type: Change of Use
Uses: Leisure - (D2) General Leisure
Reference: 2012/02085/PA
Applicant: English Heritage
Applicant Address: 23, Savile Row, London, Inner London, W1S 2ET
Applicant's Agent: Rodney Melville And Partners Limited
Applicant's Agent Address: 10, Euston Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4LE

Application for change of use from factory to visitor attraction for the silver factory in Albion Street

54-56 Albion Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 3EA
Proposal Note: Planning application submitted for the change of use from a factory (use class B2) to a heritage visitor attraction (use class D1).
Development Type: Change of Use
Uses: Leisure - (D2) General Leisure
Reference: 2012/02085/PA
Applicant: English Heritage
Applicant Address: 23, Savile Row, London, Inner London, W1S 2ET
Applicant's Agent: Rodney Melville And Partners Limited
Applicant's Agent Address: 10, Euston Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4LE


Exelllant news a nice addition to this area.....

Some bastards have stolen the name plaque from the front of the Assay Office :ohno: :bash:

http://www.assaynews.co.uk/bao/help-who-stole-our-plaque#.T4xCWbbVyEw.facebook

Hi all, First post...

I have been living and a business owner in the JQ for a number of years now and I love living here.

Recently, however, I have been looking for an old derelict/unused building to convert into primarily 3 or 4 residential apartments. Soon after I started looking, I obviously ran into the issues surrounding planning and the associated restrictions that apply. Lately, I seem to be becoming more and more infuriated with the blanket approach to the planning restrictions and it is making my project seemingly impossible.

This has lead me to investigate other buildings in the area and investigate the planning applications that have been refused against them all. Initially, I thought key parts of the JQ were run down due to the general state of the economy, but I've come to believe that its largely the planning restrictions that are stopping any development.

I was even willing to offer a commercial aspect to my development(s) and willing to be very flexible in meeting the awful live/work permission. But the 50/50 live/work permission has to be per plot rather than split over the total project.

I am completely in favour of conserving the heritage of the JQ and the last thing I'd like to see is a load of bland apartments spring up everywhere, but surely there needs to be some changes made here because it seems the development is going backwards. I cant help thinking that with just a little flexibility, the area would benefit so much.

I've heard that a lot of developers have moved away to areas such as Eastside and Brindley Place etc because of the restrictions in place. for the record, I was looking a restoring a Grade II listed building that is practically derelict... A building that will otherwise never be brought back to life. There are a lot of this types of buildings that businesses will not want to buy and trade from nowadays.

I'm just interested in everyones opinion and if anyone has been in a similar situation or can offer some advice.

Many thanks
Gary

^^ I agree and part of the reason why I was dead set the area becoming a UNESCO world Heritage site. The restrictions therefore become solid and make development of any kind extremely restrictive and for developers - pretty much non-profitable.

I think some thought into the current regime needs to be put into what to allow developers to do with their buildings. My personal view is that the original building be retained, and any refurb should incorporated it's character in some way. The interior, certainly in cases of derelicts should be up to the individual developer - again provided it doesn't have a detrimental effect on the exterior.

Gazprogg, in planning terms the Jewellery Quarter is split into a few separate areas, there is no blanket approach to planning, other than the fact its a conservation area.

The quarter is split into smaller fragments in terms of planning policy (See Jewellery Quarter Design Guide). Each fragment has a specific planning goal. For example Vyse St and Warstone Lane policy is focused on encouraging retail and business. The only area i recall as having a residential restriction is the industrial middle, which encompasses the area north of St Pauls Sq to Warstone Lane. The planning policy is aimed at keeping this area as a working industrial Jewellery area for manufacturing. Is the building you were looking at in this area? That could explain why you are having such a rough time of it.

Being based in the Quarter and having done a fair few residential projects in the quarter, both new build and Grade II, i would be interested in knowing more about your project and the problems you are facing.

Gazprogg, in planning terms the Jewellery Quarter is split into a few separate areas, there is no blanket approach to planning, other than the fact its a conservation area.

The quarter is split into smaller fragments in terms of planning policy (See Jewellery Quarter Design Guide). Each fragment has a specific planning goal. For example Vyse St and Warstone Lane policy is focused on encouraging retail and business. The only area i recall as having a residential restriction is the industrial middle, which encompasses the area north of St Pauls Sq to Warstone Lane. The planning policy is aimed at keeping this area as a working industrial Jewellery area for manufacturing. Is the building you were looking at in this area? That could explain why you are having such a rough time of it.

Being based in the Quarter and having done a fair few residential projects in the quarter, both new build and Grade II, i would be interested in knowing more about your project and the problems you are facing.

Hi, thanks for your response.

I am aware of the planning zones in place... There are live/work restrictions in the Golden Triangle and The Industrial Middle, which literally takes up 80% of the JQ and leaves a small strip around St Pauls and the Icknield St areas.

One building was in fact in the Industrial Middle. This is the building that I was willing to develop a commercial unit at ground level, as long as we could develop 2-3 apartments above. The wasn't allowed as the live/work suggests a commercial aspect to every plot, rather than a portion of the total building area. There would be no way of renting/selling apartments based on live/work.

Its so limiting and it has practically stopped ALL development in these areas. The JQ could be so much more than it is...
Thanks
Gary

Gazprogg, in planning terms the Jewellery Quarter is split into a few separate areas, there is no blanket approach to planning, other than the fact its a conservation area.

The quarter is split into smaller fragments in terms of planning policy (See Jewellery Quarter Design Guide). Each fragment has a specific planning goal. For example Vyse St and Warstone Lane policy is focused on encouraging retail and business. The only area i recall as having a residential restriction is the industrial middle, which encompasses the area north of St Pauls Sq to Warstone Lane. The planning policy is aimed at keeping this area as a working industrial Jewellery area for manufacturing. Is the building you were looking at in this area? That could explain why you are having such a rough time of it.

Being based in the Quarter and having done a fair few residential projects in the quarter, both new build and Grade II, i would be interested in knowing more about your project and the problems you are facing.

BPN? I'm assuming Bryant Priest Newman right?

Anyone know if the Bloc hotel got planning permission for their extension?

Anyone know if the Bloc hotel got planning permission for their extension?

I saw the planning application but don't know if it has been passed yet. Have they started work yet?

I saw the planning application but don't know if it has been passed yet. Have they started work yet?

I don't think so. Don't really know tbh.

I don't think so. Don't really know tbh.
^^
Nope no building taking place yet Im afraid

Anyone know if the Bloc hotel got planning permission for their extension?

Goes to committee 24th of this month

Jewellery Quarter firms vote for business improvement district
By Cilian O'Brien May 25 2012

COMPANIES in the Jewellery Quarter have voted in favour of creating a business improvement district for the area.

The vote for the district – an area where businesses pay an additional tax or fee in order to fund improvements – was passed after winning 80 per cent support.

Organisers said the "yes" vote – which creates the city’s 10th business improvement district (BID) was secured on a 45 per cent turnout of more than 500 businesses.

The BID was led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) in partnership with Birmingham City Council, with the aim of attracting investment, increasing visitor numbers and encouraging a more vibrant economy, while making the area a better place to work and live.


It will see businesses with premises with a rateable value of £10,000 and above pay an annual levy of two per cent to fund additional investment for the benefit of the area.

David Mahony, chair of the JQDT, said: "We are absolutely delighted. It is what we have got to do to get the Jewellery Quarter moving.

"It has been hard work. It has been the biggest in the Midlands in terms of area and it has not been the best time to drive it in terms of asking people for more money.

"It is a real endorsement."

Over the past six months the JQDT has hosted a series of consultation meetings and a drop-in day to enable business owners and potential levy payers to find out more about the plans.

The ballot started on April 17 and ran for five weeks until May 24.

The Jewellery Quarter BID area is bounded by the Jewellery Quarter side of Great Charles Street, Livery Street, Great Hampton Street, Key Hill Drive, Icknield Street, Sandpits/The Parade and Summer Row.

Birmingham was described as the "BID capital of Britain" earlier this year after it emerged that the city was home to ten per cent of all business improvement districts in the UK.

There are BIDs for Broad Street, the City Centre Retail area, Colmore District, Southside, Sutton Coldfield, Kings Heath, Erdington, Acocks Green and Northfield.



Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/businesslatest/2012/05/25/jewellery-quarter-firms-vote-for-business-improvement-district-65233-31046104/#ixzz1vuuqdj8i