City planners approve Birmingham net zero carbon mixed-use scheme

Birmingham City Council’s planning committee has given the green light for developer Woodbourne Group’s Curzon Wharf, which is said to be the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon ready development.

It will create a landmark for Birmingham and a gateway into the city centre and will comprise a 53-storey residential tower; a 41-storey student accommodation block; office space, retail units and a nine-storey life sciences building.

According to structural engineers Cundall, the project’s design has been driven by energy demand through a high quality, optimised thermal envelope in line with Passivhaus principles.

This has enabled fossil fuels to be eliminated from the site with heat pumps satisfying all heat demands. This energy is further offset through roof and façade mounted photovoltaics.

Tani Dulay, Chief Executive of Woodbourne Group commented “Curzon Wharf isn’t just a development, it’s a manifesto that will position Birmingham as the UK’s leading smart and sustainable city, helping to pave the way for the UK’s green revolution. It reinforces Birmingham’s position as the UK’s second city.”

Set to be developed in a key quarter of Birmingham city centre, Curzon Wharf is expected to boost the city’s economy by at least £151M. The development is expected to generate over 1,000 jobs and will be located next to Aston University and Birmingham City University and within an eight-minute walk of the new HS2 Curzon Street Station.