Living Space Secures its First Residential Development Site in Birmingham

Solihull-based Living Space has secured a 0.93Ha (2.3-acre) brownfield site in the Birmingham suburb of Acocks Green. The parcel of land could deliver around 50 new homes.

Situated off A41 Warwick Road, the site sits approximately 5.5 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre. It is in an established residential area and benefits from being within easy walking distance of the array of amenities in both the centre of Acocks Green, and the neighbouring village of Olton – in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. The site is less than five minutes’ walk from Olton train station, which is very popular with commuters.

The brownfield land has been acquired from a private landowner and is in receipt of a lapsed planning consent for residential development. Living Space aims to submit a Full Detailed Planning Application to Birmingham City Council this summer. Subject to approval, work could start on site as early as the first quarter of 2023.

Chris Loizou, Land and Partnerships Director for Living Space said: “We are thrilled to have secured a prime development opportunity that is so close to our Solihull office. This brownfield site has been vacant for some time and we are looking forward to submitting a planning application with a view to redeveloping it into an eco-efficient scheme that makes a highly positive contribution to the street scene.

“The site presents a great opportunity to provide much-needed new homes in this popular suburban location. The local amenities include supermarkets, food outlets, banks, retail stores, and schooling, while Olton train station is also very close by, providing frequent services to Birmingham city centre.”

The site is bounded by residential properties to the north, east and west – on Olton Croft, Lincoln Road and Culham Close respectively. There are three primary schools close by, as well as Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School, which caters for secondary school children aged 11-18. The site location on the A41 Warwick Road is within easy reach of the M42, which links up with the M6, M40, M5 and M1.

The overall value of Living Space’s development portfolio is now approaching £200million, which equates to 950 affordable houses, apartments and bungalows. The company is on track to deliver at least 20 developments over the next two years. It is the partnership arm of the WhatHouse? ‘Housebuilder of the Year’ Hayfield. The vast majority of the homes Living Space builds are delivered to Registered Providers (RPs) for affordable rent and shared ownership. Living Space sources the land, achieves Full Detailed Planning consent and builds the homes for the RP, enabling them to focus on the funding and management of high-quality homes for their residents.