New Life for Former Nightclub Site as Flats Get Green Light
Plans to construct a new residential and commercial development on the site of a former popular nightclub in Sutton Coldfield have been officially approved. Birmingham City Council's planning committee gave the final go-ahead for the project at Lower Parade, which was once home to the now-demolished Rosie's Nightclub, also known as RB's and Reflex.
Boosting the Local Area
Councillors enthusiastically welcomed the proposals during a recent planning meeting, expressing strong optimism about the project's potential to revitalise the town centre. Sutton Walmley and Minworth councillor David Barrie stated, "It's something that really needs to happen for the regeneration of this area."
Echoing this sentiment, Coun Lee Marsham, the chair of the planning committee, emphasised the benefits of increasing residential presence, noting, "If you want high streets and centres to thrive, the more people you put nearby […] will only help with that. I think this could really kickstart development in Sutton Coldfield town centre."
Development Details and Council Approval
The approved scheme includes proposals for 55 residential flats, alongside commercial floorspace and car parking. This represents a revised submission of earlier plans that had received approval back in December 2022.
A key change in the new plan is the provision of five affordable housing units, reduced from the six agreed upon previously. This adjustment followed a fresh 'viability' assessment conducted by the developers.
A council officer's report prepared for the meeting strongly recommended approval, describing the location as a "highly sustainable town centre location". The report confirmed the development would provide a net gain of housing, including affordable homes, and would create "an appropriate living environment for future occupiers" without adversely impacting neighbours or highway safety.
The committee ultimately voted to approve the application, subject to a legal agreement being finalised. The former Sutton Coldfield nightclub was demolished in 2020, and the site has remained vacant since.
