A detailed planning application has been submitted by Camborne Land Investments to create an integrated rental community with up to 500 new homes in the Southside area of Birmingham.
The proposed £100m scheme is located on the 2.25 acre site of the former Kent Street Baths, bounded by Bromsgrove Street, Gooch Street North, Kent Street and Henstead Street within the Gooch Estate. It was acquired by Camborne and Urban High Developments as a joint venture earlier this year to bring forward Camborne’s first UK residential development with an ambition to create a thriving, sustainable and professionally managed rental community in the heart of Birmingham.
Designed by Glenn Howells Architects, the proposed scheme includes approximately 400 Build to Rent apartments and a further 100 homes for private sale, as well as a public courtyard, retail space and a private resident’s hub at the heart of the development.
Conal Long, Investment Director at Camborne Land Investments, said: “Our plans for a rental-led development at the former Kent Street Baths site continues the regeneration of Southside in Birmingham and will act as a gateway to the forthcoming transformational Smithfield development, whilst providing high quality housing that is both sustainable and accessible for modern living."
“Birmingham’s drive and ambition gave us the confidence to make our first investment into residential property in the city. Given the current level of investment and the site’s prime location, it is the perfect opportunity for us to build on that momentum and make a lasting impression on the Build to Rent market. With more PRS projects in the pipeline, our aim is to deliver 5,000 homes across the UK and Ireland over the next five years.”
Charles Gillett of Pennycuick Collins who advised The Gooch Estate, which retains its freehold interests in the site, added:
“The Gooch Estate is fully committed to Camborne Land Investments’ vision for the scheme. This is an exciting addition to the growing range of accommodation projects located within the Gooch Estate and, there is huge demand for quality rental property in this vibrant part of the city.”
The proposed scheme offers a mix of studio to three bedroom apartments in five principal buildings ranging from 6 to 18 storeys, wrapped around an outdoor courtyard with a central three storey community hub and active ground floor uses on Bromsgrove Street.
Dav Bansal, Director at Glenn Howells Architects, said: “Our key focus for the Kent Street Baths scheme is to ensure community is central to the development by creating a desirable, innovative and attractive environment for people to live and enjoy."
“The proposed design includes five buildings in a defined city block using a subtle range of brick tones and textures that respond to the context with a contemporary approach to the detailing. A landscaped courtyard that will be open to the public and a resident’s hub complete with rooftop garden terrace will sit at the centre of the development. The hub in particular is integral to the overall design of the scheme and will provide multi-purpose amenities together with flexible shared space that could be used for everything from yoga to film screenings and events.”
Independent property consultancy, Allsop, is managing all funding enquiries for the proposed development and will commence marketing for funding partner to work with Camborne Land Investments later this month.
Andy Pointon, Partner at Allsop, said: “The proposals for the development demonstrate a high quality Build to Rent offering for Birmingham. As a new build scheme, key rental characteristics have been considered throughout the design, putting resident’s needs first to actively encourage a strong sense of community – all professionally managed to the highest standards."
“Build to Rent developments are crucial to the government’s plans for the housing sector, offering a flexible alternative for modern living and, combined with Birmingham’s increasing popularity, we believe this scheme will raise the bar for the residential rental market in the City.”
Subject to planning approval, work is expected to start on site in summer 2018.
