Oval Real Eestate always said it had big plans for Digbeth. Now, thanks to paperwork lodged with Birmingham City Council, we know how big. And the answer is very.

Oval's plans for a 45-acre site bounded by High Street Deritend, Milk Street, Digbeth Branch Canal and Liverpool Street in Digbeth envisage 3.76M SF of new development including shops, offices, hotels, apartments and student housing along with leisure and entertainment uses.

Buildings will be three to eight storeys, with some up to 14-storeys tall. Proposals include enhancing the Duddeston Viaduct allowing public access, and the partial opening up the River Rea, which is culverted today.

The 150-acre Rea Valley is already subject to a separate residential development plan promoted by the city council.

A scoping report, which can be found here, said that if planning approval is granted in 2020, infrastructure and construction will commence in 2020/21 and be completed over an anticipated period of 10 to 15 years (2030–2035).

The design of the proposed scheme is led by Studio Egret West with planning
advice led by Turley.

The sensitive site is mostly 19th and 20th century industrial buildings, including five listed buildings and more than 20 local heritage assets.

Bisnow approached Oval for comment.