Former Birmingham Battery Site | Selly Oak | Retail Development | 8 Fl | Prop.

[sefton66]

Thought I'd make a separate thread for this one

Application Details
Application Number 2012/01565/PA
Application Type Outline
Site Address Former Birmingham Battery Site land between Bristol Road, Harborne Lane and Aston Webb Boulevard Selly Oak
Proposal Outline planning application with all matters reserved save for access for mixed use development comprising retail food store (Use Class A1), non-food retail units (Use Class A1), financial and professional units (Use Class A2), cafe and restaurant units (USe Class A3), drinking establishments (Use Class A4), hot food takeaway (Use Class A5), business uses (Use Classes B1a and B1b) or secure residential institution (Use Class C2a), Hotels (Use Class C1), student accommodation (sui generis), leisure (Use Class D2), energy centre, management suite, provision of canal lik, petrol filling station (su generis) car parking, landscaping and associated works.

The key features of the plans include:

A new 100,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s foodstore which will replace the nearby Sainsbury’s
A petrol filling station
A range of other shops including a large retail store and over 20 shops and places to eat and drink
1,600 car parking spaces set on ground and below ground (‘undercroft’) levels
Canalside restaurants, cafés and bars and a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists across the existing canal
Two buildings providing student accommodation for up to 400 people. Each will have separate entrances
Flexible space for business use in one building or two linked buildings with dedicated car parking
Two buildings providing a total of almost 300 bedrooms
A new Doctors’ surgery

Originally Posted by Spread

From EGI:
Harvest charges up Battery plans

Harvest Partnership, a jv between Land Securities and Sainsbury's, has submitted plans for its redevelopment of the former Birmingham Battery site in Selly Oak as a major mixed-use scheme.

The project proposes transforming the 32-acre brownfield site into a 1m sq ft development featuring a 100,000 sq ft Sainsbury's, some 324,000 sq ft of shops, 113,000 sq ft of offices, 200,000 sq ft of student housing, and 175,000 sq ft of hotels and leisure.

Neil Carron, project director at LandSec, said: "This is a unique scheme that will not only transform Selly Oak into a vibrant retail and leisure destination, but will also create 3,000 much-needed jobs for local people.

"We have worked hard to ensure that the proposals are realistic and deliverable, and are confident that the scheme will make a positive difference and result in something to be proud of."

Turley Associates is advising on planning.

The plans have now been submitted to Birmingham City Council. Should planning approval be granted, work could start on cleaning up the site as early as 2013, with construction following on the year after.

[sefton66]

Site Plan

[sefton66]

Renders..

[SimonTheSoundMan]

Yet another supermarket.

[sefton66]

[sefton66]

Regeneration Benefits

Improved local economy
Around 3,000 much-needed jobs for local people will be created. Up to 400 of these will be full and part-time jobs at the new Sainsbury’s store.

Improved environment
Prior to building starting, the site will be thoroughly cleaned-up after years of industrial and waste disposal use. This will make a significant improvement to the local environment.

Improved highways
The proposals include bringing forward the last phase of highways works to the Selly Oak New Road around the ‘Triangle’ site. This will include a series of road improvements to the highways network before the development is completed. The improvements will include the enhancement of the Gibbins Road junction with Harborne Lane, the widening of Chapel Lane and local widening around the Harborne Lane and Bristol Road junction, including bus lane improvements to Bristol Road. These works will not only minimise the disruption to the highway network during construction but bring about significant improvement in advance of the development opening.

Creation of a new retail centre
With considerable private sector investment, the area is set to become a premier new retail centre anchored by a new Sainsbury’s store. It will include a variety of retail outlets, as well as places to eat and drink, offering something completely new in Selly Oak whilst complementing other existing shopping provision.

New leisure offer
A new vibrant ‘waterfront square’ will attract visitors to a variety of bars, cafés and restaurants and two new hotels will not only create new jobs but bring much-needed hotels to the South of Birmingham serving local businesses, the University of Birmingham and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Community benefits
The local community stands to further gain from the regeneration through the funding of specific community projects, to be agreed with Birmingham City Council. These are likely to include funding improvements to the environment of Bristol Road adjoining the site, as well as improvements to Bournbrook Recreation Ground and Selly Oak Library.

Heritage retained
A new canal link will be created, which will provide an attractive environment with a major water feature crossing the development from the existing Worcester & Birmingham canal through to Selly Oak Park.

[sefton66]

and finally some colour renders

[sefton66]

Originally Posted by SimonTheSoundMan

Yet another supermarket.

A Replacement one and a lot more than just a supermarket!

[morestoreysplease]

Bring it all on!

[fruit&nut]

What confuses me is why Sainsburys are currently spending a shedload of money on the existing store - resurfacing and remodelling the car park, re-organising the store, re-fits, new ventilation ducts, new freezers etc etc etc

I know they make huge amounts of profit, but it still seems daft.

[sefton66]

Well providing planning is secured clearance work will start in 2013 with actual construction in 2014, it will probably be a 2 year programme so opening date of around 2016/2017. They must have looked at the figures and decided 6 years is enough to reap back the rewards of refurbishing the existing store, especially if it's held back by further delays.

[SuttonBluenose]

I love how the canal runs through the development.

I'm assuming it's not for boats, and just to top up the nearby water body?

Lovely development however, and good to hear about creating up to 3,000 jobs for LOCAL People!

[morestoreysplease]

You'd have thought student accommodation would feature heavily here to keep the various bars and restaurants lively? Just noticed the areas for it oops!

[sefton66]

400 bed spaces on the site and don't forget University of Birmingham master plan includes new student blocks along the new road as well as the already approved 11 floor block adjacent next to the new aqueduct. Should be more than enough to keep the development busy! Selly oak hospital site is 650 houses with hardly any retail or leisure facilities either

[ROYAL BLUE]

Originally Posted by sefton66

A Replacement one and a lot more than just a supermarket!

I was gonna say, wasn't there already a Supermarket here.

[sefton66]

Goes to committee next week, I'm guessing the pic in the post is old?

Sainsbury's Selly Oak supermarket plan drops hi-tech industrial park
by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Post May 31 2012

Sainsbury's Selly Oak

The long-awaited plans for a new major Sainsbury’s store and canalside development in Selly Oak go before the council’s planning committee for the first time next week when concerns over a missing high-technology industrial park will be raised.

The planning committee will be given a tour of the Selly Oak Battery site which Land Securities and Sainsbury’s hopes to turn into a major centre with a superstore, up to 20 shops, bars, restaurants, offices, student flats and hotels. Plans have also been amended, following widespread consultation with residents and local businesses, to include improvements to the Dudley Lapal Canal and better road links.

But missing is a previous pledge to turn part of the site into a medical or scientific research or high technology industrial park as part of the A38 Corridor Strategy.

An issues report to councillors does say there is a building of up to nine storeys ‘‘that could be used for offices or research and development”.

The report also states that if these uses are not viable the building could also be used as a secure residential unit.

Local planning strategies and a market report suggest the area is more suited to a smaller number of low rise buildings for a cluster of businesses and organisations, rather than a single use nine-storey block proposed.

The planning committee’s Labour members, who now hold the majority following the election, have in the past been particularly scathing over the loss of former industrial land to retail or commercial development and may demand alterations to the scheme after viewing the proposal in detail.

The development is expected to create about 3,000 jobs for the area and was supported by 38 per cent of visitors to a series of public exhibitions held in March. A further 48 per cent support elements of the scheme.

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/w...#ixzz1wTQPEAnI

[sefton66]

some more info, went to committee yesterday but no news on the outcome

New proposal for Selly Oak regeneration scheme
by Enda Mullen, Birmingham Post Jun 22 2012

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has revised plans for a Selly Oak regeneration scheme after five years spent trying to get the development off the ground.

Planning consent for the 20-acre site was first granted to the supermarket chain in 2007 – but was soon hit by the economic climate and a developer could not be found.

A planning application was then submitted in 2011 and faced opposition from the Lapal Canal Trust, which claimed the chain store was reneging on a deal to restore a section of the Dudley Lapal Canal which runs through the development.

But plans have now been amended once more, following consultation with residents and local businesses, to include improvements to the canal and better road links.

The site, off the new Aston Webb Boulevard, has been polluted by years of industrial and domestic landfill.

The plans would see the former Birmingham Battery and Metals site turned into a canalside development with a superstore, up to 20 shops, bars, restaurants, offices, a doctor’s surgery, student flats and hotels.

Neil Carron, project director at Land Securities, which became a development partner for the scheme in 2011, said: “It is a gateway site for Birmingham.

“Selly Oak is very important with the university and hospital here. At the moment the site is the missing piece in the puzzle.

“Just to get to the plan outline you’re talking about spending £20 million in remediation. There isn’t any value in the site. It is a cost.

“All the investment that will be in is worth around £200 million.”

The proposals are due before the Birmingham City Council’s planning committee on Thursday (June 21), following a site visit by councillors June 7. Concerns over a missing high-technology industrial park are set to be raised.

The revised plan does include a building of up to nine storeys “that could be used for offices or research and development”.

The report also states that if these uses are not viable the building could also be used as a secure residential unit.

Local planning strategies and a market report suggest the area is more suited to a smaller number of low rise buildings for a cluster of businesses and organisations, rather than a single use nine-storey block proposed.

Mr Carron added: “With the Lapal Canal link it has been difficult as you couldn’t put a canal through a shopping area. We’ve got a solution that we think will really capture the imagination.

“The flat bridges over the canal work like little drawbridges to allow boats to pass through.”

The developers hope the council will make a decision later this summer and if approved, would start cleaning up the site in 2013, with building starting the year after with the aim of opening in 2016. A new 100,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s supermarket would be the anchor store and would replace the nearby branch which is unable to expand as it is hemmed in on a triangular site surrounded by roads.

Around 1,600 car park spaces would be set at ground level and underground and there would be two buildings for student accommodation for 400 people.

Kevin Macmillan, development manager for Sainsbury’s, said: “It is a good strategic spot with the new hospital and university.”

A new extended waterfront area on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal will allow boats to turn and moor and a canal link will retrace part of the former Lapal Canal route, crossing the development through to Selly Oak Park.

Developers claim the site will create around 3,000 jobs, 400 of which will be at Sainsbury’s.

The development will include the road works on the Selly Oak New Road around the ‘triangle’ site and other road improvements in the vicinity. The development will be conditional on a £5.5 million section 106 agreement which will be agreed with the council and is likely to include improvements at the Bristol Road entrance, Bournbrook Recreation Ground and Selly Oak Library.

In 2009 Sainsbury’s sparked fury when it demolished the historic 1871 Battery and Metals Building on the site because it had become “unsafe”.

This was despite a pledge to retain it in the redevelopment.

Read More http://www.birminghampost.net/news/w...#ixzz1yXqGCFO6

[brumwill]

While I like the idea of canal-side waterfront regeneration schemes. I find it quite an inefficient use of money and space, to reinstate/rebuild a section of canal that was filled in and will not actually go anywhere.

[brum2003]

Originally Posted by brumwill

While I like the idea of canal-side waterfront regeneration schemes. I find it quite an inefficient use of money and space, to reinstate/rebuild a section of canal that was filled in and will not actually go anywhere.

The Lapal canal will eventually link up with the Dudley canal number 2 at hawne basin Halesowen, they are essentially the same canal, Reinstating the waterway for leisure uses through south Birmingham. Many canal restorations take decades but bring economic benefits and other benefits once completed. This will create a cruising ring around Birmingham achievable in a weekend with increased potential for tourism. Google Kennet & Avon for a prime example and the ongoing Hatherton restoration.

To not take advantage of this opportunity would be very short sighted as in 20 years this restoration could be realised and be a wonderful amenity for the area.

[woodhousen]

Originally Posted by brum2003

The Lapal canal will eventually link up with the Dudley canal number 2 at hawne basin Halesowen, they are essentially the same canal, Reinstating the waterway for leisure uses through south Birmingham. Many canal restorations take decades but bring economic benefits and other benefits once completed. This will create a cruising ring around Birmingham achievable in a weekend with increased potential for tourism. Google Kennet & Avon for a prime example and the ongoing Hatherton restoration.

To not take advantage of this opportunity would be very short sighted as in 20 years this restoration could be realised and be a wonderful amenity for the area.

this will never happen im afraid.

you are correct this used to happen, but this would involve the re-instatement of the Lapel Tunnel, which i believe was one of the longest of its type when built. it suffered numerous partial collapses in its very short life-span. i believe atkins was commission to assess the viability of opening the tunnel and its largely believe by now, most of the tunnel has actually collapsed...