3.7.9
Original Document
The City Council operates a tall buildings policy which seeks to group tall buildings along the ridge. There is scope to develop a cluster of taller buildings in the centre, in Westside, around Snow Hill, in Eastside, around the New Street Station redevelopment. There may also be scope for taller buildings in Southside although this is below the ridge and an alternative here would be mid-rise development. Care needs to be taken in the placing of tall buildings to avoid harm to conservation areas and residential living conditions and to avoid prejudicing the operational needs of aviation. The City Council will continue to develop its approach to tall buildings in consultation with stakeholders including Birmingham International Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Plain English Translation
The City Council tries to put all tall buildings along the ridge (from Fiveways to Lancaster Circus). There is room to develop a group of taller buildings in the centre, in Westside, around Snow Hill, in Eastside and around the rebuilding of New Street Station. There may also be room for taller buildings in Southside although this is below the ridge and we could have medium height buildings here instead. We need to take care where we put tall buildings to avoid harm to conservation areas and housing conditions and to avoid affecting air travel. The City Council will continue to develop its approach to tall buildings along with other organisations it affects including Birmingham International Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Why does Birmingham have this obsession with big, thrusting buildings? Freud has been and gone and planning policy should not be dictated by planning envy.