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Development Sites - Stirchley
Our Stirchley Superstore is at the heart of the
Stirchley community, occupying a prime position on Hazelwell Street
and last year underwent a major facelift. We have a travel
shop operating alongside our superstore and just opposite, on Pershore
Road, we have a Funeral Home.
Our Superstore stands on the site of the former Tascos (Ten Acres
and Stirchley Co-operative Society) store, reinforcing our position
as a trusted community retailer for many decades. Over the years the
store has grown so that it now occupies 50,000 square feet. In addition to carrying a wide range of food, the
store also stocks a significant range of electrical and household goods,
and toys. Dorothy Perkins operates a franchise within the store.
Not surprisingly, in view of how densely populated the Stirchley area
is, other retailers see the Stirchley site as a prime target for development.
In 2002, following a public inquiry after appeal by Asda, which was
ultimately refused. The Inspector stated that there was no requirement
for an additional supermarket of the size proposed by Asda in Stirchley.
About this time, Birmingham City Council revised its planning brief
for the centre of Stirchley, incorporating Pershore Road and Hazelwell
Lane with a view to regenerating Stirchley and creating a ‘Stirchley
town centre’. Midlands Co-op is fully supportive of regeneration
in Stirchley and is wholly committed to contributing to the achievement
of this aim.
Hazelwell Lane site became the subject of two applications for retail
development. Working with a nationally renowned retail park development
company, Helical Retail, Midlands Co-op submitted plans for a major
non-food retail park of 110,000 square feet (to be known as the Hazelwell
Retail Park), together with replacement facilities for the local authority-owned
community centre and bowling club, the Stirchley United Working Men’s
Club and the Tascos Club. Among those who have expressed an interest
in moving to Stirchley under the terms of this scheme are Matalan,
Currys, JJB Sports, Comet, PC World and SCS Furniture. Between them,
these retailers offer fashion, sports equipment, electrical goods and
furniture. The Helical scheme also incorporates new residential accommodation
including some affordable housing provision.
The second application was from Tesco, who seek to build a 70,000 square foot
food retail store, together with the local council - owned community facilities
housing and car parking.
What does this add up to?
It means more choice for the Stirchley community.
An aerial view of the Helical/Midlands Co-op development site.
Latest News
This is the latest news on our efforts to help regenerate Stirchley. If you click on the October 2006 edition of our newsletter ‘Kickstart Update’ you will recall that we were awaiting confirmation that our S106 agreement – the section that outlines the developer’s community commitments relating to the planning application – had been agreed by Birmingham City Council.
In fact, that document was finally signed in late October 2006. The significance of this agreement was that Midlands Co-op and our development partner, Helical, were at long last on an equal footing with Tesco, who received their S106 agreement back in June 2004 – even though our planning application was submitted over a year before theirs!
Just before Christmas, both Tesco and Helical/Midlands Co-op received a communication from Birmingham City Council asking us to tender to acquire the land that it owns, to re-provide existing community facilities and to present our argument for regeneration.
The tender specification has two parts to it. It requires us to submit a detailed tender for the development site (for which both Tesco and Helical/Midlands Co-op have existing planning consent), but with one alteration - that the bowling club is re-provided at ground floor level, in response to feedback from the local community.
Use the following links to see our proposed layout scheme:
The second part of the City Council specification asks us to looks beyond the development site – in other words outside of the existing planning consent. We were asked to consider, in some detail, how Stirchley Baths could be converted into a community centre. Again, we have responded positively to this request, and provided appropriate detail and a commitment to a level of financial resource that should allow the City Council to consider this as a realistic option enabling it to provide a community resource successfully at this venue.
Use the following links to see what the former Stirchley baths might look like if converted into a Community Centre.
The deadline for submission was 26 April 2007. The City Council has confirmed that it will reach a decision in the early autumn.
Accompanying our documentation is an independent economic appraisal that outlines the regeneration benefits to Stirchley of the Helical/Midlands Co-op development, as well as a highway impact assessment.
Once again, we are playing the waiting game.
We firmly believe that our scheme represents the best opportunity for regeneration for Stirchley.
Regeneration of Stirchley – the benefits!
Let’s just remind ourselves of the key objectives that were outlined in the Stirchley Framework – and consider how the Helical/Midlands Co-op development meets these objectives, as compared to Tesco’s existing planning consent.
Investment
That private sector investment in the area will create employment
We anticipate that over 493 gross jobs will be created on the development site. It is estimated that the Tesco development would create 264 jobs.
Retailing
That the shopping function of Stirchley centre will be maintained and enhanced
Our proposal offers mainly comparison shopping. Which would encourage trade from outside of the current Stirchley catchment area, would keep shopping local and would provide choice to Stirchley residents. The Tesco scheme is predominantly convenience.
Housing
That new housing development will offer a greater element of quality and choice
Our proposals are to retain 12 existing dwellings and develop 41 new apartments. Tesco proposes to build eight new flats.
Transport
That pedestrian safety, public transport, cycling, car parking, and traffic management are well considered.
Our plan includes a package of highway works including the retention of the existing one-way system. Our scheme incorporates significant additional parking for users of the retail park. Both pedestrians and cyclists are well provided for. The Tesco scheme would provide more vehicle nuisance (an anticipated 8000 vehicle movements a day) and 275 tonnes of carbon emissions more than the Helical scheme.
Environment
That the built environment and the quality of open space will be upgraded.
our scheme incorporates a landmark feature and public square, buffer planning and contributions towards other environment improvements, including the River Rea corridor. Previously Tesco was not proposing a replacement play area and the Tascos Club, in need of repair, was not scheduled for replacement.
Redevelopment
That Hazelwell Lane and the surrounding area will be redeveloped.
See plans above, which demonstrate an imaginative redevelopment of a brownfield site in a highly accessible location. Tesco’s plans also offer a redevelopment of a brownfield site.
Email us your views on: regeneratestirchley@midlandsco-op.com or
contact us by completing the form below:
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