A new student accommodation development on the Calthorpe Estate looks set to get the go ahead despite an objection from a neighbouring optician and hearing care centre.
The project, on the corner of George Road and Islington Row Middleway, would comprise a six-storey block containing 50 en-suite bedrooms and a 2,771 sq ft ground floor retail unit.
The development, which would see a former petrol station kiosk demolished, would contain five floors of student accommodation, each containing ten en-suite rooms in a mix of self-contained studios and shared flats.
This plot has been clear and vacant for 15 years prior to which it was either a garage or petrol forecourt for more than half a century.
Calthorpe Estate's application is due to be debated at Birmingham City Council's planning committee on Thursday - where it has been recommended for approval - and is the latest in a long line of student accommodation projects across the city.
Among the objections received by the council was from Scrivens House, part of the chain of opticians which directly adjoins the application site.
According to a report published ahead of the committee meeting, Scrivens called the proposal oversized for the location and its proximity to adjoining four-storey buildings.
It also said the impact of the current proposal on Scrivens House was worse than those previously proposed in 2012 as its western elevation would be completely blocked.
The report, by council planning officer Pam Brennan, said: "The proposed scale, massing and design of the building matches and improves on that previously approved and, as per the previous approval, ten flats at (neighbouring) Hampton Court would have their daylight and outlook reduced.
"However, some change could be expected at this edge-of-city centre site where land is developed intensively.
"Privacy would be addressed on the proposed rear elevation by obscured glazing. I consider the proposal to meet the requirements of sustainable development and is generally policy compliant.
"On this basis, I consider the effects upon residential amenity to be within reasonable grounds."
Jewellery Quarter architecture practice Glancy Nicholls has designed the scheme and Colmore Row firm Turley is providing consultancy.
