A proposed 42-storey residential tower above a former hospital and nightclub on Broad Street has been refused, with with one councillor labelling the scheme as “utterly bonkers”.
The Glassworks development at 80 Broad Street would have resulted in a 438-foot skyscraper built directly above the Grade II-listed former Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
However, the proposal, which would have provided 300 new city centre apartments, was unanimously voted against by members of Birmingham City Council’s planning committee on Thursday 25 April.
One committee member, Councillor Gareth Moore, described the plans as “utterly bonkers”, adding: “The idea that you can stick a 42-storey tower block over a Georgian mansion is just ridiculous. It’s a listed building. The idea that it was even dreamt up is quite frankly ludicrous.”
Fellow committee member Councillor Colin Green said his main concern was that almost 70 per cent of the apartments were single bed, which failed to meet council planning standards.
A council officer’s report said the new tower, which was the subject of an application by planning, design and development consultancy Marrons on behalf of HJB Investments, would “significantly overwhelm” the existing historic building, which has been vacant since 2020.
Other objections raised concerns over “heritage harm”, with the listed building dating back to the early 19th century.
However, Brian Mullin, acting as agent for the applicants, argued against the reasons for refusal in the report.
In addressing the planning committee, he said: “We believe there is an opportunity to redevelopment 80 Broad Street which can preserve the setting and bring the listed building back to a positive use whilst providing public benefits in an area where regeneration is encouraged.
“We understand the reaction and the concerns expressed in the officer’s report. The officer recommendation has included numerous reasons for refusal, some of those may be regarded as justified, but the majority are not.”
He added: “The haste at which this application is being determined for refusal is of profound concern.”
Mr Mullin called for a deferral of the application, with four weeks of the statutory timetable remaining, but the lead officer for the council said there was “no more opportunity for negotiation”.
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