Smithfield: £500 million plan to create a brand new place for the city
Birmingham Smithfield to create a new place at the heart of the city, attracting millions of visitors and over £500 million of investment
- The ten year plan will see the redevelopment of 14 hectares of prime city centre land
- The site will deliver over 300,000 sq. metres of floorspace, 2,000 new homes and 3,000 new jobs, adding £470 million GVA to the local economy and attracting millions more visitors to the region
- The plan will see the creation of a sustainable and inclusive place that includes new cultural and leisure attractions, vibrant retail markets and a new residential offer.
- The launch of the plan marks the start of extensive public consultation as the city seeks to deliver a legacy development
Birmingham is today (Wednesday 16th March) launching a £500 million plan to create a brand new place for the city. Totalling 14 ha the site is one of the largest and most attractive city centre development opportunities in the country.
Located in the heart of the city centre Birmingham Smithfield will become a unique and vibrant place for people to meet, live and shop.
The offer will include fantastic new retail markets, leisure uses, cafes, independent shops, restaurants and hotels, space and buildings for cultural events and activities and exciting modern living. This will all be set within an innovative and exemplar sustainable environment.
The plans will see over 300,000 sq. metres of new floorspace created, 2,000 new homes and a series of new squares, parks and gardens. It will be a major boost to the regional economy bringing a further £500m of investment, 3,000 jobs, millions more visitors and £470m in additional GVA.
The redevelopment will capitalise on the area’s heritage, focus for retail markets and proximity to some of the city’s most important economic assets. On the doorstep of the prime shopping area the already 40 million existing visitors will benefit from this brand new destination.
The site’s connectivity is also unrivalled with New Street Station, used by more than 51 million people a year, close-by and the high speed 2 terminus at Curzon only a short metro journey when it opens in 2026.
At the heart of Birmingham Smithfield will be a new home for the city’s retail markets. The new home will become a destination in its own right, with a mix of activity across a multi-level building bringing life throughout the day and night.
The plans will also include space for start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs harnessing the city’s creative talents and driving new economic activity.
Pedestrians and cyclists will be at the centre of the developments new routes with wide pedestrian boulevards and new streets reconnecting the area to the wider city centre.
Festival Square will become a major new public space for the city and a focal point for the site. As a meeting place and exciting hub for festivals and cultural events it will bring the area to life with new cultural buildings, the home of the markets and hotels and commercial space all focused upon it.
A new modern residential neighbourhood will be created with a mixture of 2, 3 and 4 bed apartments. At the heart of the new community will be a major park adding to the city’s expanding network of green spaces to create what will be one of the most desirable places to live in the city centre.
Boosting the sites already unrivalled connectivity the Midland Metro tram will be brought into the site paving the way for a potential extension to the south of the city. This will further extend the already growing network that has and will continue to see investment totalling £300m. Bus routes will run through the site in dedicated corridors providing people with a quick and efficient way of getting around the area and linking to the wider city and beyond.
Councillor John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham is experiencing an unprecedented period of change as billions of pounds of investment transform the city’s economy. And, with 3,000 new jobs and 2,000 new homes, Birmingham Smithfield puts people right at the heart of an exciting project that will in turn transform lives. Over the next decade this will continue at a dramatic pace as new jobs, transport facilities and residential communities are delivered and I’m confident our plans for Birmingham Smithfield will create a place for people that stands the test of time and sets the standard for sustainable development.”
As part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Zero Emissions Cities programme Birmingham Smithfield is already at the forefront of the sustainability agenda and will deliver a unique development for the city.
Andy Street, Chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP, commented: “Birmingham Smithfield is the next fantastic opportunity to secure investment for the city’s exciting growth agenda. It will create new jobs, homes and infrastructure. The site’s status as part of the City Centre Enterprise Zone will bring added impetus and over £40 million of funding has already been committed to supporting the delivery of these plans. The LEP is absolutely behind realising huge opportunities such as Birmingham Smithfield that will drive long-term economic growth and prosperity.”
The plan for Birmingham Smithfield is being unveiled at international real estate show MIPIM, where major cities across the world showcase their development opportunities to international investors.
Mark Rogers, Chief Executive at Birmingham City Council, added: “The opportunity to create a brand new place at the heart of the city is unique. Birmingham Smithfield will have a transformational impact that capitalises on the area’s unique heritage and focus for markets. It will radically enhance the city’s retail, visitor and residential offer, as well as unlocking the growth potential of a much wider area. By showcasing the scheme at MIPIM, we are directly targeting potential investors and developers to secure international interest.”
A launch, in Birmingham on 21st March, will see the commencement of an eight-week period of public consultation. Birmingham City Council will be holding a series of exhibitions and events for the people of Birmingham to visit and contribute their ideas. The Birmingham Smithfield Masterplan sets out a clear plan for the future and the creation of a legacy for the City. For more details please visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/birminghamsmithfield
