Riverside community plans for Digbeth

Warners Fields development plans submitted to council which feature riverside homes and  a hub for start-ups
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Huge plans to transform Digbeth and bring the River Rea back to Birmingham city centre as part of a 1,300-home development have finally been submitted.

Two planning applications set out proposals for the long-term redevelopment of the site to the south west of the former wholesale market (now known as Smithfield).

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The site earmarked for the Warners Fields development sits south of Moseley Street, east of Barford Street, west of Lombard Street and north of Alcester Street.

If approved, the scheme will see the River Rea opened up to the surrounding area, with new public spaces provided on both banks of the river all leading to a potential linear park on Moseley Street.

Part of the wider development could eventually see 3,000 new homes built in the area.

What is included in the first phase of plans for Warners Fields?

The first phase of Warners Fields will include 1,351 new homes to rent, which will be built and managed by Dandara Living

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Buildings will range in height from 6 to 10 storeys, with a select number of taller buildings between 11 and 29 storeys, the largest of which will be located to the north of the site.

The first phase will also include:

  • the Henry Bradford Centre, designed to support start-ups and small businesses
  • the Apollo Building, a flexible hub for cycle storage, bike repairs, vehicle sharing, electric vehicle charging
  • residents parking
  • gym facilities
  • further community space and
  • gardens on the roof
Warner Fields development plans for DigbethWarner Fields development plans for Digbeth
Warner Fields development plans for Digbeth

Whereabouts is the river?

The river Rea has been mostly forgotten by Brummies over the past 100 years, running behind industrial buildings, walls and derelict sites and confined to a brick lined channel far below street level.

However the new plans would have the river running through the centre of the city once more.

Leader of the council Cllr Ian Ward said: “I am very excited to see progress in these plans for a new mixed-use riverside community development on the edge of the city centre.

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“So many people in Birmingham don’t even know we have a river, so I am really pleased to see the work Dandara has done with the Environment Agency over the last couple of years which will help transform the River Rea and its banks into the public asset that it can and should be for the city”.

What is the latest position with the planning application?

Two separate applications have been lodged with Birmingham City Council – a hybrid plan with detailed elements for the majority of the site which would enable construction to start as soon as possible on land in developer Dandara Living’s ownership.

A second outline application is for the wider masterplan area which will set the context for future applications to be submitted, expected to include a series of buildings ranging from six to 29 storeys.

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