Future vision for urban conservation area
A vision for the future of part of one of the UK's largest urban conservation areas has today gone out for public consultation.
The draft framework for Edgbaston has been produced jointly by Birmingham City Council and Calthorpe Estates, the managers of The Calthorpe Estate which has been owned by the same family for almost 300 years.
The area, to be known as The Village, Edgbaston, is covered by the framework and is primarily bounded by Hagley Road, Calthorpe Road and Highfield Road.
Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, transport and the economy, at Birmingham City Council said: “Edgbaston is a thriving district with attractive buildings and green spaces. However, it needs a greater diversity of businesses, with more retail and leisure facilities and restaurants to support the sustainability of core businesses in the area.
“The framework will aim to promote the area in relation to fine dining, specialist retailing and the burgeoning health care market, so that people will want to visit or stay in the area during an extended work or leisure day.
“This will help the area flourish as one of the country's most desirable places to live, work and relax, finding the delicate balance between preserving the old and finding new facilities in a changing property market.”
Mark Lee, Chief Executive of Calthorpe Estates explains “working with Birmingham City Council to formalise a framework, our vision to create a vibrant and high quality urban village is making real headway.”
“Located in the heart of the Edgbaston commercial area near Five Ways, The Village clusters around retail and leisure attractions which are already present and emerging. The development will sympathetically sit alongside existing period properties and will see the creation of new public spaces with improved connectivity and parking provision.”
The Village, as it continues to evolve, will enhance attractions for businesses, residents and attract visitors from far and wide, creating a thriving atmosphere that will continue throughout the daytime and into the evenings and weekends.”
Although the framework is non-statutory it can be used as a means of encouraging on-going investment. The consultation will last for six weeks.
