Edgbaston Stadium hotel and Gun Quarter student flats among major Birmingham developments

So it’s not surprising that 2025 has already seen a number of important schemes approved by the city council’s planning committee.

They include plans for a new hotel at one of Birmingham’s most iconic sporting venues amid hope of boosting the city’s economy.

There were also proposals for new canalside student blocks in the historic Gun Quarter as well as plans to revamp an Edgbaston building designed by a renowned architect.

Here’s what you need to know about these three significant Birmingham developments given the green light in February.

Edgbaston Stadium

Proposals for a new hotel and stand at Edgbaston Stadium, described as a jewel in Birmingham’s crown, were approved – despite opinion being split over its design.

The plans will see the current Priory and Raglan Stands at Edgbaston Stadium replaced with a new 3,191-seat facility and a 146-bed hotel.

The hotel is set to boast views over the outfield as well as a coffee shop and restaurant/bar, which would be open to the public on non-matchdays.

The proposals were previously described as part of a larger redevelopment of the stadium, which aimed to create a destination combining “elite sport, conferencing and events” with community use.

Coun Sharon Thompson, deputy leader at Birmingham City Council, said the plans would ensure the stadium remained at the heart of English cricket for decades to come.

“The hotel will also provide much-needed jobs for the area and boost our city’s economy,” she said.

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But not everyone was won over by the design at a recent planning meeting, with Coun Martin Brooks describing it as “not particularly good”.

Planning chair Lee Marsham said: “As with all things with design, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Following the committee’s decision to approve the plans, Edgbaston strategy director Craig Flindall said they were grateful to the city council for sharing their vision “to bring increased economic and social benefits to the region through international sport”.

Student blocks

Plans for new canalside student blocks were approved in February after developers tweaked the scheme.

The project will see two towers, one eight-storey and another 21-storey, providing 279 bedspaces in Cliveland Street in the Gun Quarter.

A council officer’s report said the scheme was able to demonstrate a need for the development and it would be “very well located” to several city centre campuses.

A decision on the plans was deferred in January however after a key concern was raised – particularly whether there should be a ground floor commercial unit, such as a shop.

“If you had a retail space, there would be light and more safety potentially if you’re walking down and you can see other people,” Coun David Barker said at the time.

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But a council officer said such commercial units in similar sites had not been let and purpose-built student accommodation was “quite limited” when it came to what could be put on the ground floor.

An update, published ahead of February’s planning meeting, said the developer had made “some adjustments” to the ground floor and mezzanine layouts.

They include an expanded communal lounge and a student coffee bar intended to create ‘greater animation, light, and activity at ground level’.

Nick Jackson, area planning manager, told the meeting that the design of the development had been pushed “as far as we think we can”.

The proposals were ultimately approved, subject to conditions.

Chamber of Commerce building revamp

Plans to revamp a building designed by a renowned architect and build two apartment blocks were also given the green light in February.

A decision on the proposals for a refurbishment of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce building, off Harborne Road in Edgbaston, was previously deferred towards the end of last year over parking concerns.

John Madin, who was behind the building’s design, was an architect known for Brutalist buildings such as the former Birmingham Post and Mail building at Colmore Circus and the Central Library, both of which have since been demolished.

Two residential buildings have also been proposed for the site, one of seven storeys and another of four storeys, providing 98 apartments in total.

According to a council officer’s report, the development would require the demolition of a multi-storey car park.

Coun Gareth Moore said last year that he welcomed the application overall but expressed concern over the number of parking spaces and the potential impact of people parking in the surrounding areas.

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Ahead of the planning meeting in February, an update addressed parking concerns by stating: “The surrounding roads are well protected from speculative car parking owing to the extent of ongoing parking restrictions in the area.

“Future occupiers would occupy the development in the clear knowledge that they could not park at, or near to the site for any extended period of time, instead taking opportunities from the ample public transport options available.”

“I don’t really understand the arguments about transport,” Coun Martin Brooks said during the meeting. “I think it’s in one of the best places you could have for transport links.”

Coun Marsham, planning chair, acknowledged concerns around parking but added: “This is compliant with our policy on this area.”

On the benefits the development could provide, a council report said: “This proposal would see the creation of more job opportunities locally due to the refurbishment of the office space and its attraction for being located within the prestigious Edgbaston Village.”