Helping a 56-storey Birmingham development secure resolution to grant planning

Birmingham’s skyline is set for dramatic change now that the transformative Smallbrook Queensway development has been given a resolution to grant planning by Birmingham City Council, after receiving our expert support.  

Led by property group CEG, the residential-led, mixed use development will reactivate a prominent site in the city centre by providing 1,750 high-quality rental apartments spread over three separate buildings – ranging from 44 to 56 storeys. The ground floors will also provide a range of commercial uses including retail and food. 

The energy strategy we led provides a low carbon solution and will be all-electric, incorporating renewable energy sources and high energy efficiency standards using a fabric first approach. 

Associate Director Paul Titmus said: “The Smallbrook Queensway development will be a real gamechanger for the city, so we couldn’t be prouder to be involved in making the plans a reality. There is an emphasis on sustainability and urbanisation throughout the development, which importantly aligns with our values as a business. It’s not been difficult rallying around the exciting vision for the development and making sure we do our bit to help it come to fruition.  

“Having been involved in the development for more than three years now, the ongoing collaboration to create a robust energy strategy has been very successful. The new Part L building regulations, which came into effect during the planning period, mean that we’ve been on a unique journey alongside the project team and we are especially proud to have futureproofed the development in line with the Future Homes Standard, which will set the benchmark from 2025. 

“From the overall energy strategy to working closely with a specialist consultant on passive design through façade engineering and using our own vertical transport team’s expertise to provide lift engineering support, we have had varied involvement in the Smallbrook Queensway development to date and can’t wait to see progress made on site.” 

Beyond the buildings, the plans centre around creating an extensive new public realm to help the greening of the city centre and improving connections with the Chinese Quarter, the Gay Village, and the emerging Smithfield area – tying into Birmingham City Council’s Our Future City Plan. 

CEG commented: “CPW’s involvement in façade engineering and providing technical advice has been pivotal during complicated discussions, especially around emerging guidance. It’s a development that will change Birmingham for the better, so we’re pleased that local businesses have played a role in shaping the vision.”  

The project team also includes Corstorphine & Wright, MGAC, Turley, Fira and Curtins.  

Chris Barker, executive director at MGAC, said: “We are delighted to receive planning consent from Birmingham City Council and we look forward to continuing with the next phase of this development. Smallbrook Queensway will be transformative for this part of the city, providing apartments that are in high demand and enhancing the public realm.”