City Centre Campus set for green light in Eastside

From Birmingham Mail, very sloppy and inaccurate report, but hey-ho,

Oct 15 2008 by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

CITY planners are set to give the green light to a £150 million university campus in the heart of the city centre.

Birmingham City University wants to build media, technology and arts schools on a derelict former industrial site at Masshouse.

The campus marks a major public investment in the Eastside regeneration zone.

Planning officer Richard Goldborn said: “This scheme will have significant benefits for employment, sustainability and the regeneration of Eastside.

“The area is identified as a focus for arts, media and design. It strengthens Birmingham’s regional centre of research and development and integrates with the new city park to create a high quality environment conductive to learning.”

Plans include lecture halls and meeting rooms, a concert hall, theatre, shops and cafes.

The outline scheme has won the backing of conservation watchdog English Heritage which claims the buildings will not overpower the historic Curzon Street Station and Woodman Pub next door.

But Birmingham’s Conservation Panel is also concerned that three existing historic university buildings, the Institute of Art and Design in Margaret Street, Bournville School and Ruskin Hall, Bournville could be at risk when the new campus opens.

The planning committee meets on Thursday and is recommended to approve the application.