Plans for Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry move forward at Pebble Mill
17 November 2011
Outline planning permission has been granted by Birmingham City Council to build a new Dental Hospital and the University of Birmingham’s School of Dentistry on the former BBC Pebble Mill site.
The proposed development, led by Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, together with its partners the University of Birmingham, Birmingham and Solihull LIFT (BaS LIFT), and Calthorpe Estates would deliver the same range of services currently provided at the Whittall Street site in a modern fit-for-purpose building.
The outline proposals for the Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry were shared with local residents, staff and students at three public exhibitions held in June, providing details of where the five-storey building would be located and how the site would be accessed. Their feedback was then incorporated into the outline proposal.
Designed by healthcare design specialists, One Creative Environments Ltd, the design and development teams will now consult further with the Dental Hospital and University of Birmingham staff, students, patient groups and the local community to scope out the next stage of design.
Birmingham Community Healthcare Medical Director Rick Roberts explained: “Birmingham Community Healthcare is committed to the continuing development of a broad range of specialist and community healthcare services for the people of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region so we are very pleased to have reached this significant stage in the development of the new Dental Hospital.
“The existing hospital has given tremendous service for nearly half a century but it is clear that we need to relocate in order to continue providing the right quality of treatment for patients and learning opportunities for students. The City Council’s consent for the project to move forward is therefore very welcome.”
Professor Philip Lumley, Head of University of Birmingham School of Dentistry said: "As international leaders in research, teaching and clinical service within dentistry, the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry and Birmingham Dental Hospital welcome the opportunity to work together in developing a new and modern centre of excellence to underpin the oral and dental healthcare of the people in the city and region"
Ewan Forsyth, Development Director for BaS LIFT explained: “We’re delighted that the significance of this development for the region has been acknowledged by the City Council and look forward to working closely with staff, students and the local community to develop what we aim to be a fantastic facility for the city. We expect to submit a detailed planning application (a discharge for reserved matters) in the early part of next year.”
The proposed development is part of Calthorpe Estates’ masterplan to regenerate the site of the old BBC studios.
Ralph Minott, Development Director for Calthorpe Estates said; “We are very pleased with the positive support for these proposals, which very much dovetail with the masterplan that Calthorpe Estates has been evolving for almost 10 years. Working with BCC and formally AWM, there has been a focus on employment and training, to develop a medical, technology and sporting community at Pebble Mill.
“With over 300,000 square feet of medical, technology and community accessible sporting uses now approved on the site, the scale of our original development ambitions is now well on course.
“The new facility at this site would further enhance Edgbaston’s growing reputation as a centre of medical and research excellence and we are talking to interested parties on the remaining plots at Pebble Mill and hope to be making further positive announcements in the near future.”
