00:00Developers are seeking permission to demolish a number of existing industrial buildings on land
00:05bounded by Hockley Hill, Wells Street, Great King Street and Bar Street. In their place,
00:12five and six-storey blocks would provide 269 apartments, alongside commercial space intended
00:19to support creative and small businesses within the jewellery quarter. A Grade II listed building
00:25at 175 Hockley Hill would be retained and converted into the main entrance to the development,
00:32with shared amenity space and two apartments above. A Council Officer's report published ahead of the
00:40Planning Committee meeting identifies several benefits, including the delivery of new housing
00:45on previously developed land, the restoration of the listed building and landscaping described as
00:51offering ecological enhancements. The report states that more than half the proposed homes
00:57would have two or three bedrooms, with some duplex apartments included in the mix.
01:02It also acknowledges harms, including the loss of employment land, no on-site public open space
01:08and no financial contribution towards off-site provision. The Officer notes that, despite the
01:15City demonstrating a five-year housing land supply, housing need remains pressing. On balance,
01:21the report concludes the overall benefits are considered to outweigh the identified harms and recommends approval.
Comments