Digbeth Regeneration: The Canal Corridor

The resurrection of Digbeth as a city hotspot is just part of the story. Birmingham as a whole is in the midst of an urban renaissance. The arrival of HS2 and its increased connectivity to London and the rest of the country promises further transformation, unlocking major sites for regeneration and accelerating Birmingham’s social, environmental and economic growth.

The new Curzon Street HS2 station will effectively create a new ‘front door’ to catalyse further growth. To the south, Digbeth and the Grand Union Canal also have a key role to play. They present a unique stage to develop a new urban district close to the core of the city, as well as connecting to Birmingham’s heritage and legacy as an important industrial centre.

The masterplan focuses on the development’s potential to create strong links to key planned public transport services, and provides for a balanced range of uses. In view of the significant population uplift that is expected to occur throughout the delivery period, it also makes potential provision for social infrastructure, including a new primary school.

Our advice and guidance on potential funding led to enhancements to open space and public access - thanks to the identification of funding via Parks Infrastructure Growth Schemes, and consideration of what might be supported by the £1bn Curzon Investment Fund.

We also helped to develop a strategy to expand and improve local business premises by supporting existing businesses and start-ups with gap funding grants and loans. This included advising on the introduction of an affordable workspace policy to encourage greater uptake by small and medium sized enterprises, incentivising investment thanks to superfast broadband infrastructure, pump-priming of key development sites and providing a Development Protocol to help in securing planning permissions. By expanding the City Centre Enterprise Zone, there is now the potential for an additional £724 million worth of investment into the Curzon area.

Step by step, the vision for Digbeth's future is coming to fruition. This major development – a new multi-use live/work destination, linked by the canal and a mere stroll from the city centre - will not only enhance the Creative Quarter's heritage and lively energy but also build on the diversity of Birmingham as an exciting city in flux.