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Detailed planning permission has been granted by Birmingham City Council to build a new Dental Hospital and the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry on the former BBC Pebble Mill site.
The proposed development, led by Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, together with its partners the University of Birmingham, Birmingham and Solihull LIFT (BaS LIFT) and Calthorpe Estates, would deliver the same range of services currently provided at the St Chad’s Circus site from a modern fit-for-purpose building.
The reserved matters application was heard on Thursday 6 December where councillors gave it their unanimous backing.
Proposals and designs for the Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry were developed by One Creative Environments Ltd, and shared with local residents, staff and students at different stages of development, via a number of public exhibitions held throughout 2011/12, providing details of where the four-storey building would be located and how the site would be accessed.
Work will also focus on concluding the final stage of the business case and completing the legal documentation. It is hoped this will be concluded during the early part of next year so that work can begin on site in Spring 2013, with the facility being operational in Spring/Summer 2015.
Birmingham Community Healthcare Medical Director Rick Roberts explained:“We are very pleased to have received detailed planning consent. This represents a very significant step
forward and reflects great credit on the excellent work of all partners involved in the project.
“We will continue to listen to the views of our staff and others and to work with the Strategic Health Authority on the final stage of the business case as we progress towards making these exciting plans a reality.”
Professor Philip Lumley, Head of University of Birmingham School of Dentistry said: “We are delighted with the decision which brings us one step closer to having a new, modern facility which reflects our international reputation as a leader in research, teaching and clinical service within dentistry.”
Ewan Forsyth, Development Director for BaS LIFT explained: “All partners in the project have played a part in achieving this important milestone for what is an exciting project for the whole West Midlands region. The new Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry is set to become a landmark facility for the City and we’re looking forward to concluding the final details so that work can begin on site next year.”
Matt Tebbatt, Director of Architecture for One Creative Environments Ltd said: “We have worked hard to ensure the final design is of the highest quality and appropriate for such a well-known Birmingham location as Pebble Mill. We’ve used input from staff and students to create a building that will put patients at ease and be an inspiring place to work and learn.”
The proposed development is part of Calthorpe Estates’ masterplan to
regenerate the site of the old BBC studios.
Ralph Minott, Development Director for Calthorpe Estates said: “From Calthorpe Estates’ earliest masterplan proposals for Pebble Mill back in 2003, this second major medical approval will cement our ambitions for growth and regeneration at Pebble Mill, linked to this important hub of Medicine, Learning and Life Sciences within Birmingham. Calthorpe are very pleased with the final designs developed with One Creative Environments Ltd and the city planning team, and how they will integrate within the latest Pebble Mill masterplan”.