The refusal to list Martineau Galleries as an historic building has cleared the path for a major Birmingham Eastside office development.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has signalled that it will grant a Certificate of Immunity from Listing for The Square, Corporation Street,  Birmingham Live reports.

The site, which is close to the new HS2 terminal at Curzon Street, had been praised by those who cherish Birmingham's heritage of brutalist 1960s architecture.

Objectors have 28 days from 14 December to challenge the certificate.

If confirmed, the government move opens the way to redevelopment of the 379K SF Martineau Galleries to capitalise on the proximity of the Curzon Street HS2 station.

Bisnow reported in March that the scheme could become Birmingham's Brindleyplace of the east.

Hammerson is signalling that the 6.5-acre Galleries site, dominated by IKEA and The Square shopping centre, will be subject to an office-led mixed-use development, Property Week reports.

A planning application will replace the existing consent, which is for a 2.9M SF redevelopment with a heavy focus on retail.