Thursday 19 May 2011
FIRST STEPS TO TRANSFORM BIRMINGHAM’S SOUTH SIDE
- Region & Route:
The first steps to transform the south side of Birmingham city centre were taken this week with the submission of the planning application to construct a new John Lewis department store at Birmingham New Street station.
The detailed planning application submitted to Birmingham City Council outlines plans for a new 250,000 sq ft John Lewis department store to be located on the south side of the redeveloped New Street station. The plans will also see the upgrade of the Pallasades Shopping Centre above the station.
Andrew Skidmore, programme sponsor for Network Rail, commented: “The rebuilding of Birmingham New Street is well underway and is set to deliver the first benefits to passengers when phase 1 completes at the end of next year.
“The project will also deliver huge economic benefits to Birmingham by opening up the city for regeneration. Today’s plans make the economic case for the redevelopment even stronger, by directly creating 650 new jobs and kick starting the transformation of the south side of the city.”
The planning application follows a public exhibition in March where people had the chance to look at the plans and feed back their comments. More than 1,650 people visited the exhibition and over 300 comments cards were returned.
The response was overwhelmingly positive with more than 93% of respondents agreeing with the plans to redevelop the south side of New Street station.
The feedback also showed that:
- People were strongly supportive of the project and new department store as long as they created employment opportunities for local people and brought other economic benefits for the city.
- The design for the redeveloped station was popular with people making it clear they wanted the design of the new department store to fit in with and complement the existing designs for the redevelopment of New Street.
- There was optimism about what the project will do to improve retail in Birmingham city centre.
- Support for the scheme and station redevelopment would remain strong as long as disruption continues to be kept to a minimum during construction
As the project develops, Network Rail will continue to work closely with Birmingham City Council and John Lewis to address these areas and the other feedback received during the consultation.
Notes to editors
Copies of the planning application can be viewed by visiting Birmingham City Council's planning department at Lancaster Circus or by logging onto www.birmingham.gov.uk/planningonline and searching on application number 2011/02869/PA
A scale model of the development is also on display in the reception area of Lancaster Circus between the following dates:
Monday 9 May 2011 - Friday 10 June 2011
Monday - Thursday 10:00 - 16:30
Friday 10:00 - 15:30
Weekends/Bank Holidays - Closed
Network Rail is pursuing the planning application on behalf of Birmingham City Council which owns the Pallasades Shopping Centre. If planning approval is granted, Network Rail will construct the new department store alongside the rebuilding of New Street station.
Birmingham City Council signed a heads of terms agreement with John Lewis in February 2011 for a full-line John Lewis department store to be located on a development site to the south of New Street station.
The 250,000 sq ft John Lewis shop, will be one of the largest John Lewis department stores outside London
Birmingham City Council estimate that the development will create up to 900 new jobs including 650 jobs which will be created directly in the new John Lewis department store.
Subject to planning approval, the new department store will open in 2014.
The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station is part of a major investment in the future of Birmingham. The redeveloped station will transform the city centre, opening up new pedestrian links across the city
This improved connectivity will play an important role in stimulating regeneration, new jobs and economic growth in the areas around the station such as the south side of the city centre.
At New Street station, John Lewis will benefit from some of the best trading environments in Birmingham with predicted high levels of footfall through the redeveloped station.
The full application and supporting documents will be publicly published by Birmingham City Council, beginning a formal consultation period of at least 28 days. During this period members of the public will be able to view the application and submit any views they wish members of the planning committee to consider ahead of deciding upon the application.
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