Warners Fields, a new green neighbourhood in Birmingham, puts nature first and connects the Smithfield, Digbeth and Highgate areas of the city centre.

The development, for Dandara Living, opens the river to the public with footpaths, crossings, shops, artisan markets and restaurants. Over 50% of the site will be devoted to green and pedestrian spaces, as part of a new green environment designed to support cycling, walking and spending time in nature, as well as providing workplaces and up to 3,000 new homes. Prominent features of Warners Fields will be cantilevered look-out points and a new bridge, turning Apollo Gardens into a performance space at night.

Warners Fields will pioneer the regeneration of this area of the city and is one of the first developments to be brought forward within Birmingham City Council’s adopted “Rea Valley Urban Quarter” SPD (Supplementary Planning Document).

The first phase will include approximately 1,300 new homes to rent, which will be built and managed by Dandara Living. The first phase will also include the Henry Bradford Centre, designed to support start-ups and small businesses; and the Apollo Building, a flexible hub for cycle storage, bike repairs, vehicle sharing, electric vehicle charging, residents parking, and gym facilities. The Apollo building will be converted into a residential building once nearby public transport improvements like the HS2 Curzon Street Station, Eastside metro extension, and expansion of Birmingham Moor Street station are complete.

Public consultation on the project is open until 25 Oct, inviting comments on the development from members of the community and those in the wider area.