City planners have backed the latest stage of development at the £700 million Paradise project.

Birmingham City Council's planning committee has awarded permission for One Centenary Way which will be constructed on the site of the old Adrian Boult Hall conservatoire overlooking next to Centenary Square.

The office complex will be 13 storeys tall and have 280,000 sq ft of commercial space.

It will join One Chamberlain Square, which is currently stalled following the collapse in January of main contractor Carillion, and Two Chamberlain Square where construction work was started this week by BAM.

One Centenary Way has been designed by Birmingham-based Glenn Howells Architects and will have space for shops and restaurants at ground level.

It is the first building in the second phase of development at Paradise which also comprises a further office building called Three Chamberlain Square and a new 250-bedroom four-star hotel.

How One Centenary Way will look from Centenary Square
How One Centenary Way will look from Centenary Square

Argent, development manager for Paradise Birmingham, is working Hermes Investment Management on the project.

Argent's regional director Rob Groves said: "By working closely with Glenn Howells Architects and the wider professional delivery team, the innovative design solution for One Centenary Way has resulted in a striking, structural led building that makes a strong architectural statement.

"To maintain the momentum we have established through the development of the first two Paradise Birmingham buildings, we will be starting the site enabling works for One Centenary Way next month which will include further demolition and ground preparations.

"The building's planned construction start will be later this year with completion during 2022."

Speaking at the city council planning committee meeting, Coun Fiona Williams (Lab Hodge Hill) said the building's metal frame "looks unfinished".

Coun Peter Douglas Osborn (Con Weoley) asked for guarantees over the route through Paradise, saying: "I am still keen that the museum clock tower can be seen from the Hall of Memory."

He was assured it would be.