A decision on plans for a group of towers that would turn brownfield land in Birmingham city centre into a "dynamic new destination" has been delayed.
The ambitious project envisions the construction of a mixed-use development on the site of the former Axis Building on Holliday Street, featuring apartments, student accommodation and a hotel.
If approved, the development would include five buildings, with a standout 49-storey residential tower among them.
According to planning documents, the proposed development aims to serve as a "beautiful gateway" to central Birmingham, fostering a "vibrant, lively atmosphere" on what is currently an empty plot.
The plans detail two residential towers of 49 and 39 storeys, providing a total of 868 units, alongside a 29-storey student accommodation tower offering 720 bedspaces and a food hall.
Additionally, the scheme proposes a hotel comprising 229 serviced apartments and a ten-storey building delivering 122 residential apartments.
A public square, described in a council report as a "significant public realm improvement" would be central to the development.
However, concerns were voiced at a planning committee meeting this week, with Cllr Philip Davis expressing worries about potential impacts on nearby historic buildings.
He also argued that the council lacks a 'tall buildings policy', adding: "What we're seeing is the incremental transformation of the city into a city of tall towers.
"But we're in a grey area – we don't have a view, we're just allowing it to happen.
"If we want to go in the New York direction – then let's have a debate about it.
"But if we don't, that should be considered as well. We need to have some view on this."
Cllr Colin Green expressed frustration over the proposed housing mix, which was 45.6 per cent one-bed, 51.4 per cent two-bed and three per cent three-bed.
"What we've got here is a very tall building full of one-bedroom flats that doesn't meet the city's housing needs," he said. "We already have enough [one-bedroom flats]."
However, Cllr Lee Marsham, chair of the planning committee, spoke favourably about the proposed scheme, highlighting that it would provide "lots of housing which this city needs".
Addressing concerns over heritage, he reminded the committee that Historic England had not objected to the plans.
Nick Jackson, area planning manager at the council, said the housing mix was overall in favour of two and three-bed homes and mentioned there was a "deliverability factor" too.
"We have to make best use of these sites and that's why we see tall buildings in the city centre," he explained.
He said the council already adheres to guidelines regarding tall structures, which consider their alignment with existing landmarks, their visibility within traditional views, and their impact on local heritage, among other factors.
A report from a council officer, released before the meeting took place, conceded that 'significant adverse visual effects' might be experienced from sites such as Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square.
However, the report continued: "The Heritage Assessment (HA) highlights that in views from these areas, the proposed development would be viewed in combination with an existing backdrop of modern and tall development, which already influences the setting of the conservation areas.
"Overall, it is concluded in the HA that the proposed development, whilst visible in some views, would maintain the significance of the conservation areas.
The report further deduced that, given the suggested mitigation measures and conditions, 'significant adverse environmental effects' are insufficient grounds for rejection.
The committee chose to postpone making a decision on the proposals due to the issues raised during the meeting.
