Planners have approved a delay in constructing two tower blocks at the £600 million New Street Station redevelopment scheme.

Birmingham planning committee members agreed to amend the Gateway scheme, allowing the high-rise blocks to be built at an unspecified later date.

City regeneration director Clive Dutton insisted the changes were not based on financial considerations. A claim that the towers had fallen victim of the recession was a “red herring”, he said.

Mr Dutton added: This is only a procedural issue. It was always the intention that Gateway would be developed in phases.

“The important thing is that work will begin on the redevelopment of New Street Station next month.”

However, his comments appeared to be out of line with a written report to the committee.

It stated: “Originally it was envisaged that the whole development would be undertaken at the same time. However, the applicant now intends to carry out the works to New Street Station first, followed by the construction of two tall towers to the south of the station.”