History

In 1971, the BBC established the first television studios complex outside London on the site. Broadcasting continued at Pebble Mill until 2003, however the BBC relocated to the Mailbox in the city centre in 2004.

The vacant site was cleared the Summer of 2005 pending redevelopment, with a vision to build a leading technology and science park as part of Birmingham City Councils technology corridor masterplan. Located within Edgbaston Medical Quarter, the prominent site received a number of medical enquiries and as a consequence the masterplan changed to creating a world-class medical and life science campus.

Calthorpe Estates undertook the infrastructure works, building a sub-station for the site and bringing in a new access road, Mill Pool Way. A new tranquility garden and boardwalk were created, as part of a public realm programme, for the benefit of those working, living and visiting the site.

Birmingham Dental Hospital & School of Dentistry chose the site for its new home, construction began in 2013 with the new facility was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in November 2016. In Summer 2017 two bee hives and over 40,000 bees were introduced to the site, with the first batch of honey created the following year. Bird boxes were also erected along the board walk. In September 2016, Bupa started construction of a 62 bed care home, which opened in January 2018.

Calthorpe Estates worked with the Environment Agency and River Rea Partnership to enhance flood defence works to help reduce the risk of flooding for over 170 homes and businesses in Selly Oak. Work started in February 2017 and completed Summer 2019. Circle Health started work on a new private hospital in April 2017 and the new facilities are due to open Autumn 2020. Vita started work on their new student accommodation development in March 2018 and it welcomed if first students September 2019.

Costa Coffee works started Summer 2019, next to the Vita site, and are due to complete Summer 2020 to provide a drive thru and sit in café. Plot 4, Calthorpe Estates received outline planning permission for a medical building in June 2017. In December 2019 planning permission was granted for a state-of-the-art medical building to deliver a cutting-edge cancer treatment centre and theatre space for the Dental Hospital. Then Autumn 2020 saw the opening of the new Circle Hospital, offering rehabilitation care using advanced equipment.