The project includes a stadium, jobs and 1,000 new homes over the next 20 years

Birmingham Council has outlined how Blues’ Sports Quarter could revitalise a ‘deprived’ neighbourhood as it presented a sweeping vision for the city’s future. The authority has recently published its draft Local Plan, an extensive document which examines how the council can help shape the city over the next two decades.

Specifically, it details how the council can support economic growth, tackle housing requirements and draw in investment, alongside regeneration prospects across the city.

One significant prospect is Birmingham City’s Sports Quarter scheme, which will redevelop the 48-acre Wheels Park site in the east of the city and be anchored by a new stadium called The Powerhouse.

The eye-catching design of the proposed stadium was unveiled last year, with Blues chairman Tom Wagner stating they aim to create a ‘globally-recognised colosseum’ that can also accommodate events such as concerts.

The broader Sports Quarter vision surrounding the stadium itself also encompasses new transport connections, a training facility, women’s stadium, arena and residential development.

Regarding how this scheme could contribute to Birmingham’s transformation in the years ahead, the city council indicated it would sit at the centre of the Bordesley Park Growth Zone.

“Bordesley Park will be re-invigorated into a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive mixed-use neighbourhood, centred on a nationally significant, sports and leisure destination,” the draft Local Plan said

“The Sports Quarter […] provides a unique opportunity to establish Birmingham as a globally recognised destination for sports, leisure, entertainment and major events.

“Development will be anchored by a new stadium for Birmingham City FC, supported by training facilities, leisure and entertainment attractions and other complementary uses.

“Together, these uses will attract investment, create jobs, skills and training opportunities and act as a catalyst for wider regeneration across East Birmingham.”

The document went on to state that the Sports Quarter will be conceived as a “year-round destination”.

“[It will thrive] on both event and non-event days with new homes, new jobs and community facilities, high quality public realm, enhanced connectivity and environmental improvements,” it said.

“In doing so, it will foster pride in place and deliver lasting economic and social benefits for local communities and Birmingham as a whole.”

Regarding the Sports Quarter and St Andrew’s Park, the council added that future expansion and development will be progressed in accordance with the following principles:

• deliver a new stadium for Birmingham City FC alongside “national and international leisure and entertainment attractions to anchor the place and catalyse wider development”;
• provide additional appropriate sports and leisure facilities which strengthen the role of the location as a “destination for activity and well-being”;
• accommodate a suitable blend of uses which could encompass residential, commercial, business, industrial, education, hotel, leisure, retail, cultural and community purposes;
• deliver a minimum of 1,000 new homes informed by local housing requirements;
• provide additional appropriate community facilities, by “fostering social inclusion and participation” and supplying facilities designed for active use;
• contribute towards delivering substantial net additional jobs, skills, and training opportunities and pathways in the area directly on-site;
• deliver “high-quality public realm” to draw in visitors and investment, enhance the environmental quality for local residents and businesses, and promote a vibrant atmosphere on both event and non-event days;
• support the Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC) on the western edge of the site and provide suitable mitigation, alongside measures to enhance green and blue infrastructure and biodiversity;
• integrate the existing St Andrew’s Stadium site within the broader regeneration vision for Bordesley Park, either as a retained sports stadium or alternative form of development, subject to further appraisals;
• improve connectivity to and through the site, prioritising walking, cycling and public transport movements while supporting the operational requirements of the destination.

Regarding transport in particular, the council said: “A wide range of measures are proposed to enhance connectivity to and through the area.

“This includes the development of rapid transit routes along the A45 (Sprint) and Eastern Metro Extension and potential improvements to existing railway services and local stations, including a potential relocated station at Adderley Park.”

The draft Local Plan added: “The Sports Quarter will be a key catalyst for the delivery of such major transport improvements, supporting the business case for investment in public transport improvements and promoting active travel modes.”

The council added that regeneration proposals could help address longstanding challenges of “deprivation, limited employment, poor health outcomes, and high levels of economic inactivity” throughout East Birmingham.

“The importance of Birmingham City FC to the local area will continue to be recognised as an important community institution, contributor to the regional economy, and a national presence in sport representing the city,” it added.

Earlier this year, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker launched Britain’s ‘biggest and most powerful’ Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to ‘significantly speed up’ the £11bn regeneration of East Birmingham.

Mayor Parker said at the time that the MDC initiative would harness a broad range of powers, encompassing land acquisition, planning, business tax incentives and infrastructure funding.

He went on to say this would enable the corporation to cut through bureaucratic obstacles, bolster investor confidence and accelerate investment into the region, delivering significant benefits to major schemes such as the Sports Quarter.