Birmingham City Council has rejected controversial plans for a redevelopment of the Colmore Gate office and retail block.
Israeli investor Ashtrom Properties wanted to extend the 16-storey tower by nine storeys and its attached seven-storey “shoulder” by two, but a decision on the Buckley Gray Yeoman-designed proposals was delayed late last year due to objections from Historic England over the height and massing of the building.
Advisers at BNP Paribas Real Estate said a reduction in the size of the redevelopment would make the project unviable.
Despite a recommendation for approval, the council rejected the current proposals at a meeting last week.
In the planning officers’ note confirming refusal, Simon Delahunty-Forrest and Sarah Scannell said: “By way of its scale and appearance, the proposed development results in less than substantial harm to the setting of Colmore Row and Environs Conservation Area, Cathedral Church of St Philip’s and the Grand Hotel, 31 Colmore Row which are designated heritage assets.
“This less than substantial harm is not outweighed by the identified benefits of the proposed development.”
Lichfields was advising on planning.
Colmore Gate Tower CGI © Buckley Gray Yeoman
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