Plans unveiled for £1bn Birmingham regeneration scheme

Plans have been submitted for a £1bn project around Birmingham’s Custard Factory in the Digbeth area of the city.

Property developer Oval is behind the scheme which would include up to 2.2 million sq ft of commercial space and 1,850 homes alongside shops, restaurants, cafes and additional leisure facilities.

Oval says more than 16,000 jobs will be created if the go-ahead is given by Birmingham City Council for the 42-acre scheme.

The application has been put together by Studio Egret West as well as Glenn Howells Architects and Bryant Priest Newman.

If granted, a phased approach will be used, starting with an extension to the Custard Factory itself, Custard Factory Living and Wild Works.

Council leader Cllr Ian Ward said: ‘It is vitally important that the investment we generate through the arrival of HS2 at Curzon Street supports our thriving creative industry in Digbeth.

‘Oval’s proposals for its estate around the Custard Factory will provide the type of redevelopment that will allow existing businesses to grow over the long term at the same time as attracting new businesses to our great city.”

Steve Sanders, head of development at Oval, said: ‘We are incredibly excited about the future of Digbeth and delighted with the culmination of the hard work from our consultant team to present such a carefully considered development proposal.’

‘We have intentionally taken our time over three years to prepare this application, ensuring we respect the character of the area and occupants that make Digbeth the place it is today, whilst also responding to the needs of local stakeholders and providing the opportunity for Digbeth to flourish in the right manner.’

Photo Credit – Oval