Plans to develop 61 new apartments at a canalside site in Birmingham have been given the green light.
London-based Consortia Developments is making its debut in Birmingham with the canalside scheme to renovate Lockside House in Scotland Street.
The firm already had an existing consent to convert the 14,000 sq ft office building Lockside House into 16 apartments but has now won additional permission to add a roof extension to the building and redevelop the adjacent car park.
This will create a total of 17 one-bedroom and 44 two-bedroom units at the site which will be available for open market sale, with three reserved for affordable housing.
Originally built as a workshop, and part of a series of buildings known as Scotland Works, Lockside House was home to a number of manufacturing businesses in the late 1800s.
In the early 20th century, a plate and sheet glass merchant occupied the premises which are sandwiched between Scotland Street and the towpath of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal near Utilita Arena Birmingham.
It was bombed during the Second World War and subsequently underwent alterations as a result before being converted to offices in the 1980s.
Birmingham-based practice Associated Architects has designed the new £16 million scheme which will vary between five and six storeys.
Archie Ward is managing partner at Consortia Developments which acquired Lockside House from federation of charities Groundwork last year.
He said: "Once a workshop, then an office, Lockside House is set to enjoy a third act as new homes.
"Although it is not listed, the building contributes to the character of the area and we fully intend to preserve its best features.
"We are very much looking forward to restoring this characterful building and improving the wider brownfield site."
The development site is directly opposite The Flapper, a renowned music pub which itself is poised for redevelopment but has been closed since January last year.
The approval, granted at the latest meeting of Birmingham City Council's planning committee, came despite an objection from regulatory services about potential noise impact if the Flapper re-opened.
This would mean some of the residents would need to keep their windows closed, a report to councillors stated.
Cllr Gareth Moore told the meeting: "I am slightly concerned about the representations made by regulatory services in the report.
"Clearly, from what I understand from the application, is that there is an extension to the building which brings it closer to what was the Flapper or maybe another licensed premises. Therefore, there is a potential noise nuisance particularly with the balconies.
"I can understand the appeal of having balconies looking onto the canal but if that is going to exacerbate the noise issues in this location then perhaps we should look at putting something in place which offers greater protection for future occupiers and existing businesses in the area from potential noise issues.
"I am wondering whether this has not been considered fully in the report and whether there are further design changes which could be made to the building to better soundproof it and so avoid complaints in the future."
Work is due to start on site in May when the existing tenants vacate the building with completion anticipated in summer 2023.
