Net Zero Carbon Scheme in Birmingham goes to Planners

Curzon Wharf, a mixed-use development proposed in Birmingham, will go before city planners next week.

The £360m hybrid scheme from developers Woodbourne Group aims to rejuvenate an under-utilised area of Birmingham's city centre whilst being the first skyscraper to produce no net emissions in operation.

After seven years of consultation, planning officers have recommended the ambitious project for approval.

The scheme would see four separate buildings constructed, replacing the graffiti-laden industrial units which were constructed in the 1960s.

The largest building, a 53-storey Build to Rent development, would become the tallest tower in the city at 172 metres. Up to 498 residential units would reside in this tower.

Up to 732 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) apartments could come to fruition in the second-tallest tower, which would stand at 41-storeys in height.

Also planned for the project are 122 residential homes contained with another 14-storey building.

The Curzon Wharf development will include almost 130,000 sq ft of office space and research and development space, over 3,000 sq ft of retail units and over 15,000 sq ft of leisure space.

Chief Executive at the Woodbourne Group, Tani Dulay, commented: "Birmingham is now at a turning point and our generation has the opportunity to transform the city into one of the most sustainable and leading cities in the world. The support received by Curzon Wharf is a reflection of that. It has taken us years of hard work to get here, and I hope the committee supports these unique proposals.

"This isn't just another development, it's a manifesto that will position Birmingham as the UK's leading smart and sustainable city - as demonstrated by the highly successful eco-friendly delivery of the Commonwealth Games - helping to pave the way for the country's Green Revolution.

"It will act as a catalyst for the wider transformation of the Eastside area where a number of masterplans have been earmarked which otherwise would not be possible. It signposts Birmingham's route to delivering transformational change to the city, promoting social, cultural and economic exchange in a truly transformative urban neighbourhood."

West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, also commented: "This is an incredibly exciting plan, with the potential to create more than 1,000 jobs at what will be a critical time for our region's economy as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

"It is brilliant to see how innovative the masterplan is, not only through being net-zero and contributing towards our #WM2041 goal, but also with the life sciences element which will help create a number of high-skilled, well-paid jobs in a key industry of the future, building on the recent investment at the life sciences site in Selly Oak."

The scheme is well-positioned in the city, on the northern entry to Birmingham on the A38 Aston Expressway, which is passed by approximately 21 million road users a year. It is also within walking distance to the HS Curzon Street Station, which is anticipated to bring in over £150m to Birmingham's economy.