Bowled out by regeneration

Following my October Post Sporting future for Birmingham revealing the plans for Edgbaston Cricket Ground redevelopment, Birmingham City Council are proceeding with Compulsory Purchase plans for land adjoining the ground for a mixed use development to support the redevelopment. The land including land fronting the Pershore Road would be used for a mixed-use development to help fund the redevelopment of the ground.



The following is taken from the Report of the ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT PLANNING $AND REGENERATION being submitted to the CABINET COMMITTEE (PROPERTY)

The cricket business in itself does not generate sufficient profits for the scale of development necessary to bring the ground up to standard. To enable these works to proceed, therefore, the club is releasing significant parts of its grounds along with adjacent land it has acquired for a major mixed-use development. The details of the proposed uses will be confirmed upon the receipt of the planning application, but are expected to include office, retail, restaurant/café, hotel, residential and possibly leisure uses. The club has appointed a developer and has indicated that the financial resources required are available to ensure the redevelopment proceeds.

The area to be redeveloped includes a number of properties fronting Pershore Road. This area has previously been identified as suitable for an enabling commercial use in the Supplementary Planning Guidance. In total there are 12 properties and although the club have voluntarily acquired the majority of these and continue to seek voluntary acquisition for the others, a number remain in private ownership. The club has therefore asked the City Council if it would be prepared to use its Compulsory Purchase powers to help acquire these properties.

The redevelopment proposals sit easily with the Calthorpe Estate development of Edgbaston Mill including the already completed Hemisphere apartment scheme which sit opposite the Cricket Ground.