Proposals to convert a former eye hospital in Birmingham for use as offices are back on track after council planners reversed an earlier decision in favour of residential refurbishment.
Richardson Barberry (RB) had been involved in discussions with planners for two years about the future of the Birmingham & Midland Eye Hospital when the council decided it wanted to see a residential scheme on the site instead.
Last year, RB lodged an appeal against the council’s non-determination and forced a public enquiry hearing for April 2, 1997. But yesterday (March 6), at a meeting of the council’s planning committee, members decided to accept a recommendation from council officers that RB’s plans for 5,016 sq m (54,000 sq ft) of offices should get the go-ahead. However, the consent is subject to agreement being reached over commuted car parking payments.
RB director Jon Bellfield said:”We are delighted at the committee’s decision – but disappointed that we have been delayed by 18 months when we could have been proceeding with a £9m investment scheme.”
According to Bellfield, RB will now review the viability of the scheme in the light of the requirement to pay a commuted car parking charge of more than £400,000.
Under its commuted car parking policy, Birmingham council requires payment to compensate for any shortfall between agreed on-site parking and total parking demand generated by any proposed development.
EGi News 07/03/97
