Insider Media Limited

A new ice rink is being planned for Birmingham’s Pershore Street after renewed planning permission was secured by consultant CSJ Brooke Smith. The former Silver Blades venue will be redeveloped after the original planning consent was extended.

The original consent from February 2008 was for the demolition of the existing ice rink and the erection of a new 12-storey building comprising a new ice rink, ancillary retail and commercial space, together with more than 200 apartments, all served by basement parking.

The renewed consent, secured on behalf of Lichfield-based Ragon, provides permission for a further three years. It now gives the scheme, which has been mothballed for some time “a realistic chance of being built out”, said CSJ Brooke Smith.

CSJ Brooke Smith planner Keir Price said: “This comes hot on the heels of the Travelodge scheme in Upper Dean Street, Digbeth - and the renewed proposals for the ice rink site indicate continued confidence in the area. A city of the status of Birmingham needs a state-of-the-art ice rink that properly reflects its leisure needs in the 21st century.

“This is a key site to the south of the city centre. It is an area recently highlighted as the Southern Gateway where Birmingham City Council is encouraging major mixed use development through the emerging Big City Plan. The proposals complement national planning policy, the current Birmingham Unitary Development Plan and the emerging Core Strategy.”