Plans for a 23-storey tower are set to be approved despite conservation groups claiming they “harm” .
Proposals for the new residential tower block at the on Suffolk Street Queensway have been earmarked for approval by planning officers.
But English Heritage, the Twentieth Century Society and Birmingham Civic Society say the new block of 322 apartments does not fit in with the neighbouring listed Alpha Tower.
The site was previously set aside for the 51-storey V Building, which would have been Birmingham’s tallest tower, but this development fell through during the economic slump.
According to a report to Thursday’s planning committee: “English Heritage considers that the proposed development would cause harm of a very high level to Alpha Tower and harm of a high level to the internationally-significant Hall of Memory. Therefore they recommend it be refused.”
The report argues that while the building would spoil the views of Alpha Tower it is less damaging than the V Building which was previously approved and therefore should be allowed.
Planning officer David Wells said: “Overall the layout, scale and appearance of the proposed development are acceptable. Whilst I accept that the scheme would impact upon the setting of Alpha Tower, I consider that the public benefits outweigh the less than substantial harm.”
The planning application, from Dandara subsidiary One Birmingham, is for an L-shaped building of two blocks ranging from 18 to 23 storeys in height in front of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
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It will include 64 studio apartments, 130 one bedroom flats, 128 two-bedroom apartments as well as 150 parking spaces.
The council’s environmental health department has also warned there should be no balconies and mechanical ventilation on flats facing areas of high pollution - something which has been agreed by the developer.