New Birmingham Canal housing development plans approved

Plans to build more than 750 new homes on a derelict site on Birmingham’s Main Line Canal have been approved by Birmingham City Council.

Joint venture partners Galliard Homes and Apsley House Capital’s proposed scheme at Soho Loop was given the green light by planning chiefs at today’s planning committee meeting.

The decision paves the way for the £165m urban regeneration scheme, which will comprise 102 two and three-bedroom townhouses and 650 one and two-bedroom apartments, more than 10,000 sq ft of commercial space, new public realm, parks and gardens, and shared amenity spaces.

New pedestrian, cycle and vehicle routes will also be created to enable public access through the site, with a new canal bridge connecting the area with the existing towpath to provide a direct route into the city centre. A public waterfront space will make the most of the scheme’s canal-side location.

Called Soho Wharf, the scheme has been designed and master-planned by Claridge Architects, which worked with the joint venture partnership on its Timber Yard development in Southside.

Stephen Conway, Executive Chairman of Galliard Homes, said: “Our vision for Soho Wharf is to deliver a residential-led, mixed-use scheme that will be truly transformative for Birmingham. We are pleased the council shares our vision for the site.

“The approved scheme forms part of the Greater Icknield Masterplan, the largest brownfield housing-led redevelopment framework within Birmingham and is therefore strategically important for the long-term regeneration of the area, which is already undergoing major change.

“Soho Wharf is the next big development opportunity and with planning now in place we’re excited to be bringing the project forward and helping the council achieve its ambition of creating more homes and attractive places to live for the people of Birmingham.”

The development is located on an 11.7-acre site on Dudley Road, opposite Birmingham City Hospital, bound by Spring Hill and Western Road, and the Main Line Canal. Birmingham city centre is a 15-minute walk away, with Brindleyplace just ten minutes.