Birmingham's new £360 million skyscraper project has been approved

The Curzon Wharf scheme at Dartmouth Circus is a development project that involves the construction of three towers for student accommodation, "co-living" flats, and office space. The tallest tower’s height will be 172m (564 ft), surpassing the city's current tallest structure, the BT Tower, which stands at 152m. The project is located near the new Curzon Street HS2 railway station while the developer, Woodbourne Group, claims that it will be the world's first carbon-neutral scheme of its kind.

The amended plans for the project were unanimously approved by councillors on Thursday, with certain conditions attached. For example, at least 51% of residential units must have two or three bedrooms, and the number of affordable homes available has been increased from three to five percent. The development is expected to create about 1,000 jobs.

Woodbourne Group's CEO, Tani Dulay, expressed his satisfaction at the progress of the project, stating that the company has worked hard to achieve this point and is proud to deliver such a world-class development for Birmingham. He also highlighted the importance of investment and job creation in powering the city's economic recovery, which this development would facilitate. As part of the plans, the existing 1960s-era industrial units at the current canal-side site at Dartmouth Circus would be demolished.

According to the developers, the three tower blocks in the Curzon Wharf scheme have the potential to cut almost 70% of carbon emissions through the use of energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources. Paul Kitson, the director of place, prosperity, and sustainability at Birmingham City Council, described the project as exciting and aligned with the council's ambition to make Birmingham a greener and more sustainable city.