Planning for new public realm awarded
Planning permission has been granted by Birmingham City Council today for a significant new public realm at Paradise Birmingham as part of the completion of Phase Two of the £700 million development.
The plans improve city centre connectivity with a series of new public spaces and pedestrian routes through Paradise and improved linkages between Colmore Row and the city core and Westside and the Jewellery Quarter.
The new, high-quality spaces and routes in the southern part of the Paradise estate will provide a more fitting environment for the Grade I listed Town Hall and other historic buildings along Paradise Street.
The approved links include the new Ratcliff Passage alongside the Town Hall, Ratcliff Square, and Western Terrace leading to Easy Row with a newly renovated subway route through to Alpha Tower and Arena Central.
This planning permission follows a number of recent successes at Paradise, with Birmingham City Council also recently awarding permission for a new 17 storey, 152-bedroom hotel on the corner of Paradise Street, while in December enabling and construction began on the world-first Octagon apartment tower at the northern apex of the Paradise site.
The new public realm, designed by Grant Associates landscape architects, will build on the success of the refreshed Chamberlain Square, Congreve Street and Centenary Way, which helped form Phase One of the development.
As an important contributor to regional growth, Paradise is committed to creating high quality new pedestrian streets and squares for everyone to enjoy as well as improving pedestrian and public transport links across the city. Early work on the access and transport links around Paradise were supported by Greater Birmingham Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP).
The approved links include the new Ratcliff Passage alongside the Town Hall, Ratcliff Square, and Western Terrace leading to Easy Row with a newly renovated subway route through to Alpha Tower and Arena Central.
Rob Groves, regional development director with Paradise development manager MEPC, said:
‘This is yet another significant milestone for Paradise and allows the team to move towards completing Phase Two of the development with its important new buildings and enhanced new public space.
‘The success of the existing public realm is reflected in what we are now proposing with more high-quality stonework with a variety of tones and finishes alongside mature trees and greener elements. With two green lights for both the public realm and new hotel now awarded, we’ve brought cutting edge new designs for exemplar new public realmwhich will continue to knit Paradise into the wider city centre.’
Chris Taylor, CEO of Real Estate at the international business of Federated Hermes, said:
‘’As long-term investors in the city with a conviction for delivering sustainable wealth for its citizens, we are committed to maintaining a socially inclusive, sustainable approach to our work.
The public realm is a critical part of how the wider development is integrated into the city and will allow for future tenants and the wider Birmingham community alike to enjoy the curated spaces.
‘By bringing forward a scheme that truly meets the needs of the citizens of Birmingham, Paradise continues to deliver the priorities set out in its over-arching masterplan and help deliver a resilient City and a sense of belonging for all.’
Anita Bhalla, Interim Chair at Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) added:
‘Paradise is a landmark development that has not only transformed the centre of Birmingham but added to the reputation of the region.
It’s a symbol of how GBSLEP has helped drive inclusive economic growth. Our £139 million Enterprise Zone investment has enabled new buildings, housing, infrastructure, and the world-class Chamberlain Square.
‘This latest planning approval for a new public square and pedestrian routes builds on the successful partnership between the local council, businesses and other agencies to deliver the very best for people and local businesses. It will provide a better route for visitors accessing Paradise as well as civic buildings like the Town Hall and the Library.’
Planning and development consultancy Turley has worked with the design team and MEPC on delivering a number of planning applications for the completion of Phase Two.
Paradise Birmingham has already completed phase one of the development with One Chamberlain Square and Two Chamberlain Square providing some of the best views in Birmingham with stunning vistas across Chamberlain Square itself and of the city’s impressive Classical and Victorian civic architecture.
