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Plans for area around HS2 station set for approval

Alexander BrockLocal Democracy Reporter
HS2 An artist's impression of the new Curzon street station, showing people outside a huge arch entrance with "Birmingham Curzon Street Station" in bold white signage.HS2
An artist's impression of how the front of the new Curzon Street Station from Moor Street Queensway could look

Plans to create "characterful" public spaces around the new HS2 station in Birmingham city centre have been recommended for approval.

HS2 Ltd recently unveiled several images of what the areas around Curzon Street Station could look like, as the terminus in the heart of the city continues to take shape.

Proposals for a revised scheme for the areas in and around the new station are now set to be considered by council planners next week.

A report said the ideas sought to establish a series of "distinct character areas" including the main arrival space, which would have natural stone paving, lighting, furniture, landscape gardens and terraces.

The firm said they wanted to create areas with different characteristics including Curzon Promenade, designed as a "green‑infrastructure link with a parkland character" and merging Curzon Square and New Canal Street Square, to form a large-scale, hard paved city square.

The council officer's report said the latest plans combine two previously approved public realm schemes, both given consent in 2020.

hs2 An artists impression of the new Curzon street station, showing people outside walksing alongside a sand-coloured building and busheshs2
Garden areas are proposed to the rear of the Old Curzon Street Station building in Birmingham

Key changes include:

  • Updates to urban realm walls and planting within Station Square
  • Realignment of the Station Square Steps and updates to Paternoster
  • Revised layout and levels along Curzon Promenade
  • Updated interface between Curzon Promenade and the Midland Metro
  • Updated design for Curzon Square
  • Revisions to the southern route to accommodate servicing and cycling
  • Updated design for the southern entrance to the Eastern Concourse
Reuters An aerial view of the HS2 Curzon Street Station site, which shows a range of earth-moving equipment and bollards and barriers can be seen across the site. A group of workers in hi-vis orange suits and wearing protective helmets can be seen in the lower right corner.Reuters
Construction of HS2's Curzon Street Station in Birmingham began in January 2024

A council officer went on to conclude that the proposals were "welcomed" and would result in "high‑quality, robust and characterful public realm".

They continued that they would also contribute "to the delivery of a world‑class station and landmark destination in Birmingham".

"Accordingly, there are no compelling reasons to refuse the application and the works are recommended for approval," they said.

The proposals will be considered by Birmingham's planning committee next Thursday.

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