September 7, 20220

One of Birmingham’s most recent developments, between Mosely Street, Moseley Road and Cheapside, has received opposition from a local bar following planning application. The concern is that with so many residents in one area, the chances of noise complaints from local bar, Clearys, is high. That will of course have terrible repercussions for the business. It may require them to make changes that they feel will also hinder the business.

It’s not uncommon for issues like this to occur between businesses and large residential buildings, however, following the recent pandemic, it’s hard not to sympathise with pubs and bars bearing the brunt of the restrictions having to be closed for such a long period like so many other businesses.

The Development

The development in question is a large horseshoe-shaped block of flats or apartments, consisting of a total of 366 homes. These homes will range from smaller one-bedroom homes right through to three bedrooms homes to cater for a range of different living situations.

It’s being brought forward by developer Rainer Developments, who are building on the brownfield land that has been left unused for a number of years on the corner of Moseley Street and Moseley Road. The development will also have an area of greenery and public facilities in the centre of the U shape, being named Park Lane, and will offer communal outdoor space.

A particularly interesting feature about the development is the lack of car park that is coming along with such a high number of homes. There is instead close to 400 bike racks instead, said to encourage greener transportation and provide more incentive to be eco-friendly, but it does also of course save a tremendous amount of space, too.

Rainer homes are stating that the 5-8 storey development will be of a high-quality design that’s going to incorporate distinctive features in keeping with the history of the area,

which is yet another thing moving in favour of the application.

The Situation

It is difficult to come to a decision regarding the positive or negative effect that the development will have on the area. Such a large number of housing is of course useful for bringing more housing to those who want or need it, all the while helping the economy by providing more people in the local area, especially without the use of vehicles.

Adding the fact that a planning officer advised the council to approve the application due to the 9% of the development dedicated to affordable housing, it is very difficult to argue with the positives.

Looking to those in opposition however like the Clearys bar who are foreseeing issues before they arise, it’s still understandable that the council aren’t quite taking into account the issues that the bar will likely face following the initial assessment.

Public consultation also led to two objectives, one of which was regarding parking and the local businesses, and another about the overshadowing of the 5-8 storey structure.