A joint-venture between Robert McAlpine and Business Homes is buying the freehold of Scottish Widows’ Snow Hill House, on Livery Street, in Birmingham city centre for around £3.5m.
The partners plan to redevelop the former Birmingham City Council building as 5,574 sq m (60,000 sq ft) office building subject to securing pre-lets.
While planning for the Snow Hill House scheme is likely to be uncontroversial, the building is adjacent to the former Birmingham & Midland Eye Hospital in Church Street, where development is being stalled by a planning enquiry scheduled for April. The building is in a conservation area.
Developer Richardson Barberry wants to build 5,016 sq m (54,000 sq ft) of air-conditioned office space speculatively on the hospital site. Now the developer claims city planners want an entirely residential development.
“The latest delay in not bringing the scheme before the council for a decision is because the planners have suddenly introduced a desire for the scheme to be entirely residential,” said Jon Bellfield, director of Richardson Barberry.
“We can only go on talking for so long. It is unfortunate the council have not been prepared to determine our planning application, thus necessitating a planning appeal and the inevitable delay that this entails.”
Grimley is acting for Scottish Widows on Snow Hill House. Grenville Smith & Duncan advises McAlpine and Business Homes.
EGi News 27/02/97
