Birmingham City Council has greenlit plans by a local developer, Prosperity Group, to construct 687 homes in Digbeth. This approval comes two years post the original application submission, marking the commencement of the initial phase of the ambitious Smithfield masterplan.

This new development, named “Pressworks”, is the pioneer within the Smithfield scheme to be approved. Birmingham’s overarching £1.9bn Smithfield project is anticipated to yield a total of 3,000 homes and is currently progressing on separate fronts.

The project intends to rejuvenate an “underutilised brownfield site”, currently occupied by warehouses and commercial entities, into a vibrant entry point to Birmingham’s city centre.

The residential setup at Pressworks will encompass two seven-storey buildings and a towering 23-storey block on the erstwhile market grounds, with a commendable 15% earmarked as affordable housing. Apart from housing, the space will also feature commercial establishments and communal outdoor areas, highlighted by community rooftop gardens.

Joe Billingham, CEO of Prosperity Group, voiced his enthusiasm: “With Pressworks, we have the chance to revitalise an underexploited brownfield site, ushering in not just homes but also a plethora of dining and shopping options. This endeavour is not just an isolated development but a foundational step in the larger Smithfield regeneration initiative.”

Since its inception in 2007 under Billingham, Prosperity Group has proudly delivered 3,084 homes spread over 42 diverse projects. However, a recent setback occurred on 17 August 2023 when the council turned down the developer’s plans for a 711-home venture, Smithfield Lofts, citing inadequate provisions for affordable housing.