The redevelopment of a vacant former curtain factory in Digbeth is set take a major step forward this week with planners expected to give it the green light.

The former Harrison Drape building, in Bradford Street, is to be partly demolished, converted and extended while a further three buildings will be constructed to provide a total of 313 apartments.

Irish developer Naus Group had planned in 2011 to turn the site into a three- and four-star hotel with retail and office units but the site was acquired by Seven Capital in 2012 which is now keen to continue its record of conversion projects in Birmingham.

This new vision for the two-acre site would comprise 73 studios, 152 one-bedroom and 88 two-bedroom flats as well as a 2,420 sq ft retail unit, parking and landscaping and will benefit from its close proximity to Bullring, Moor Street Station and the planned High Speed 2 terminal in Curzon Street.

The application is going before Birmingham City Council's planning committee on August 21 and the officer's report described it as a "key building on the site (which) provides local historic and visual interest".

The application is subject to a 'Section 106' legal agreement between the council and developers regarding a payment of £517,700 towards public realm improvements and affordable housing.

Its former owner Naus Group was the company behind the long-delayed Connaught Square scheme which is now being led by Marlborough Property Company.

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