Public to have their say on the future of the £500 million Birmingham Smithfield investment.
An event tomorrow (Thursday 18 March) at Birmingham Hippodrome marks the start of an eight-week public consultation on the Birmingham Smithfield visioning document. The consultation provides the public with an opportunity to have their say on the future of this 14 hectare site.
The public consultation follows the launch of the £500 million plan to regenerate Birmingham Smithfield at MIPIM. Birmingham Smithfield represents a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a unique destination for the city, which builds on the area’s rich heritage and focus for retail markets.
Based in the city centre, Birmingham Smithfield will be able to capitalise on its location next to the prime shopping area – which attracts over 40 million visitors a year, spending £2 billion on the local economy – and New Street Station, which is used by more than 51 million people a year.
The development will be set within a vibrant new area, featuring high quality pedestrian and cycle routes, and a series of new public spaces. This includes Market Square, the focal point for the site, around which the markets and family leisure quarter will be located.
The 14 hectare site is expected to create over 100,000 sq. metres of new floorspace, 1,000 new homes and 3,000 new jobs, adding £470 million GVA to the local economy and attracting millions more visitors to Birmingham.
The city’s Midland Metro tram system will be integrated into the site and bring Birmingham Smithfield within minutes of the proposed high speed rail (HS2) terminus at Curzon nearby. Further enhancements to public transport facilities for the site will also be delivered.
Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham Smithfield is a once in a generation opportunity to transform this part of the city, building on our recent successes and delivering a truly unique asset. The Birmingham Smithfield visioning document is the first step towards realising this potential. We want to hear the people of Birmingham’s views and how we can harness the opportunity and deliver a true legacy for the city.”
Cllr Tahir Ali, Cabinet Member for Development, Transport and the Economy at Birmingham City Council said: “Birmingham Smithfield provides an exciting opportunity to create a vibrant new destination and add to the city’s reputation as a great place to live, visit and do business. Throughout the consultation, the people of Birmingham have an opportunity to have their say on the future of this major redevelopment. We will be holding a series of exhibitions and events to showcase the opportunity.”
People are encouraged to visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/birminghamsmithfield to view the visioning document, find out more and to submit their comments.
Tomorrow’s event runs from 8am to 10am.
An exhibition will be on display at St Martin’s church in the Bullring between Saturday 21st March until Friday 1st May from 9.00am – 5.00pm and then at the Library of Birmingham from Thursday 7th May until Thursday 14th May during library opening hours.
A series of drop-in sessions will be held where the exhibition will be on display and officers will be available to answer questions. There will be sessions at Birmingham Council House on Monday 30th March 1.00pm–5.00pm and Monday 13th April 9.30am–1.00pm, followed be sessions at the Library of Birmingham on Saturday 11th April and Saturday 25th April. The consultation closes on Thursday 14th May.
Following this consultation a masterplan will be produced for the site which will include a set of big moves and development principles that will inform future planning and procurement exercises for the area.
Doesn’t seem like there’s much left to consult on, only a bit of peripheral stuff. Otherwise, it seems pretty much cut and dried already. I mean, if I suggested just having a nice park, or scrapping the Metro idea, they wouldn’t take a bit of notice.