Planning granted for Pebble Mill schemes

Planning granted for Pebble Mill schemes

14 October 2016

Working as part of the Rea Catchment Partnership, Calthorpe Estates and the Environment Agency have been given the green light to embark on a £4 million flood risk management scheme and student living complex as part of its redevelopment at Pebble Mill.

Designed to significantly reduce the risk of flooding from Bourn Brook, the tributary of the River Rea, the new defences will offer protection for over 150 local homes and businesses.

The flood risk management project involves the deepening and widening of an area of existing flood water storage near the Bourn Brook Walkway on Harborne Lane. This measure will increase the capacity of the storage ‘reservoir’ by almost double and offer wildlife habitat and ecology improvements.

Ralph Minott, Director of Development at Calthorpe Estates, said:

“Calthorpe Estates has worked closely with the Environment Agency, Birmingham City Council and other members of the Rea Catchment Partnership for over three years on this project. Finding a public/private partnership solution to the suffering caused to homes and businesses in the area was the only means of funding such a project, in itself this has been a significant achievement. The flooding desperately needed to be addressed, particularly when reviewing the flood damage in 2008 and more recently in June 2016 where residents were forced to move out of their homes. Our plans will also importantly allow improvement of environmental issues within the two areas in tandem with the flood defence works.”

Ralph added,

“We are delighted to see the efforts of all parties now coming to fruition and look forward to being able to provide a more secure future for this three kilometre stretch of Selly Oak North, as well as embarking on the next stage of development for Pebble Mill.”

Half of the £4 million cost of the defences will be raised through the partnership between Calthorpe Estates and a specialist student flats provider, to develop a bespoke accommodation scheme on a part of Pebble Mill vacant for over 10 years, the remainder will be government match funding from the environment department, Defra.

Mike Adams, Environment Agency Flood Risk Adviser, commented:

“We are delighted that the planning authority has shown their support for our proposals and we can continue to develop the flood scheme for Selly Park. Flooding has a devastating impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, as we have seen here very recently over the summer. We are committed to working with the communities and partners to help reduce those impacts of future flooding.”

The approved planning application for flood defences and wider Pebble Mill site includes the student living scheme which will accommodate up to 340 students.

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey added:

“This £4 million Pebble Mill scheme is a great example of local partnerships working to create innovative solutions that better protect our communities from flooding. Not only will this protect more than a hundred buildings, it will also create a rich new habitat for wildlife and opportunities for local businesses.”

Two food and drink outlets also form part of the plans, each of two storeys and 5,000 sq ft and 1,800 sq ft in size respectively. The mixed-use buildings will offer on-site amenities to support the 250,000 visitors, employees and students who will use Pebble Mill.

Work is due to start on site later in 2016 on the flood alleviation scheme, the first part of the project which will be carried out by the Environment Agency. The second stage of the development will be carried out by Calthorpe Estates and could start early in the spring of 2017.

Rea Catchment Partnership (www.reacatchmentpartnership.co.uk)

Headquartered in Edgbaston, Calthorpe Estates is the family owned investor/developer organisation behind the 640 hectare Calthorpe Estate – a thriving commercial and residential district which incorporates one of the UK’s largest urban conservation areas.