Go-ahead for British Land’s £150m Birmingham office tower

Permalink: Go-ahead for British Land’s £150m Birmingham office tower
by Lin Freestone

Following design concerns and mixed reactions from conservation groups, British Land has secured planning permission for the construction of a 35-storey office tower in Birmingham’s city centre.

The prime city centre site of a former NatWest building in Colmore Row, was acquired early in 2007 for £25m.

Objections were raised as it was considered that the design, which features a tall mast in the style of a Star Wars’ light sabre, did not sit comfortably within the Colmore Row conservation area. Birmingham International Airport also requested that the mast be lowered as it would penetrate protected airspace.

However, Birmingham city council planners have backed British Land’s application for the demolition of the derelict NatWest Tower and its £150m replacement.

Work to demolish the NatWest Tower, built in 1972, and to clear the site is expected to begin by the end of next year. The new structure is likely to be completed by 2013.

Birmingham’s regeneration executives have been anxious for the development to proceed as it represents major investment in the city during the economic downturn.

The planners’ decision was so important in terms of investor-confidence in Birmingham. The scheme will create more than 3,000 full and part-time jobs in the city and represents a vote of confidence in Birmingham at a time when global economies are suffering.

British Land has already spent £30m on the preparation of the planning application and the project represents the group’s first tower development outside London. The company has a £2.6bn land bank for investment across the UK.