Green light for transformational Digbeth scheme

City planners have given the go-ahead for the Connaught Square scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham, which will comprise a mix of residential, commercial, retail and public space.

The development will also form part of the city’s wider plans to regenerate Digbeth and help to provide a catalyst for wider investment for this Southern Gateway area of the city.

Due to the scale of the project, Connaught Square will be constructed in two phases.  Once complete, it will feature a total of 770 spacious new apartments, including a 27-storey landmark tower, 4,000m² of commercial space, a community gymnasium and boxing academy.

The development will also incorporate a new riverside walkway and terrace alongside the River Rea, which runs through the middle of the scheme and will be opened up as a feature to the public for the first time in a century. Significant work has been done between the developer SevenCapital and city council planners to bring this feature to life.

SevenCapital Director Damien Siviter said: “Connaught Square is already one of the most significant and talked about regeneration projects to date in Birmingham, as it bridges the gap between the main city centre and the growing creative quarter. So, throughout the entire design process, it has been imperative that what we create and deliver is the right fit for the area, the city and importantly right for the community that will form as a result of Connaught Square.

“Digbeth has recently been listed as one of the coolest places to live by The Times, but through Connaught Square and the wider future regeneration works currently in planning or construction within the area, we want to make sure that it goes beyond cool, to become one of the best places in the UK.”

Work on site is expected to begin in summer 2019 with the first phase expected to complete in March 2022 with hopes for the whole site to be completed by August 2023.