I think having a Tall Buildings Policy is fine, but the main principle behind Birmingham's, i.e. building 'tall' on the central ridge, is flawed.
This central ridge, running from Colmore Row, to Centenary Square and on to Five Ways is too restrictive. An area of about 100 acres (about 4 times the area of Brindleyplace) needs to be identified specifically for tall buildings. Now, we all know this cannot possibly happen in the central core, unless great swathes are demolished, but the area around and close to Five Ways could be a possibility. It would still involve the removal of many buildings, but it could be done.
Until something radical is done in Birmingham along these lines, then Birmingham will continue to lose out to other major centres such as Manchester, Leeds .... and in the future, Milton Keynes for heavens sake!!!!!
Construction of tall buildings on the central ridge will not give Birmingham the dense skyline it needs, like what is happenning at Canary Wharf.