Former industrial land next to catholic church could become latest area in city's district to receive a new residential block

Pic: Google Street View

Corner of Lombard Street and Bradford Street where Grange Securities is hoping to build 170 apartments

The regeneration of Digbeth is set to receive another boost as developers eye run-down former industrial land for a new apartment complex.

New plans have been brought forward to build 170 flats on three acres of land behind the Catholic Church of St Anne, on the corner of Bradford Street and Lombard Street.

The proposed, five-storey development would provide 144 one-bedroom and 26 two-bedroom apartments, 2,960 sq ft of retail space, 57 parking spaces and a further 157 spaces for bikes.

The site comprised a former light industrial unit and associated car parking area which has now been demolished.

Digbeth is being seen as increasingly attractive by property developers because of the large amount of vacant property and its proximity to Bullring, Moor Street and New Street stations and the planned new HS2 terminal in Curzon Street.

In 2011, the plot formed part of a previous project by Naus Group to build a hotel and conference centre which included the old Harrison Drape factory next door.

This project never came to fruition and work has since been started by Seven Capital on turning Harrison Drape into the Fabrick Square, a 30 million complex containing 313 apartments.

This latest incarnation has been designed by Worcester-based practice Zebra Architects on behalf of applicant Grange Securities.