Birmingham Smithfield - The visioning document

Overview

Birmingham Smithfield is located at the heart of the city centre. It covers 14 hectares of land bringing together a comprehensive site that includes the wholesale markets, which is planned to be relocated to new premises, the retail markets and Moat Lane gyratory.

By bringing this site together there is the opportunity to reimagine this part of the city centre, retaining and strengthening assets such as the retail markets while reconnecting the area and creating new activities and environments.

Drawing upon the vibrant heritage as the home of markets and the location of the historic medieval manor house and moat, Birmingham Smithfield calls on the area’s original name.

The Birmingham Smithfield visioning document sets out a vision for what the area could be like in the future. Building on its rich history of markets and the vibrant character of its surroundings to explore how the area could be transformed; what kind of uses, buildings, activities and spaces could be developed there.

To maximise the opportunity and create a vibrant, new destination for the city the document proposes a number of big moves along with a series of development principles to help shape the future of the site.

A copy of the visioning document can be downloaded below.

Consultation

The document is out for public consultation for an eight week period from Thursday 19^th March until Thursday 14^th May 2015. The consultation is intended to start the debate on the future of Birmingham Smithfield, enabling ideas to evolve and develop.

We want to hear your views about what this part of the city centre could become and in particular views on:

1) What does the city need to make it a great place to visit?

2) Do you agree that the following things should be at the heart of the area:

• Vibrant retail markets
• A family leisure quarter
• A main public space - Market Square
• A pedestrian spine running north to south
• Midland Metro tram

3) What sort of things do you think should form part of the Birmingham Smithfield development?

Please click on "Online Survey" to submit your views.

What happens next

Following this consultation a masterplan will be produced defining the approach for the area’s future development. The masterplan will be used to inform decisions on future development and investment in the area.