Bringing new life to a landmark piece of Birmingham’s industrial heritage
We supported Boxpark in securing planning permission for a proposed new food, drink and events destination beneath the historic Bordesley Railway Viaduct in Digbeth.
Acting as heritage consultants, we prepared a Built Heritage Impact Assessment and developed the heritage case that underpinned the planning application to support the redevelopment of four railway arches, helping to establish a viable and heritage-sensitive new use for a vacant and underused site at the heart of one of Birmingham’s most creative districts.
Located within the Digbeth, Deritend and Bordesley High Streets Conservation Area, the locally listed viaduct is an important part of Birmingham’s industrial and railway heritage.
Key Details
- Client: Boxpark
- Location: Digbeth, Birmingham
- Sector: Town centre, retail development and leisure and tourism.
- Service: Heritage
- Status: Planning permission secured (October 2024)
- Project leader: Brixie Payne
Our assessment demonstrated how the proposals could celebrate and enhance this significance, replacing poor‑quality infill development with a carefully considered destination that respects the historic character of the arches while supporting the continued regeneration of the area.
A heritage-led approach to regeneration
The design was carefully developed to work with the existing structure rather than compete with it. By preserving the openness, scale and industrial character of the arches through minimal intervention, the scheme allows the historic fabric of the viaduct to remain the defining feature of the development.
Through our assessment and engagement with Birmingham City Council, we demonstrated that the proposals would enhance public appreciation of the viaduct and its contribution to the conservation area, delivering a positive heritage outcome while avoiding significant impacts on the operational railway infrastructure.
Birmingham City Council’s Conservation Officer agreed, concluding:
“Overall, the proposed works will bring a positive impact to the locally listed Bordesley Railway Viaduct, as well as the character and appearance of the Digbeth, Deritend and Bordesley High Streets Conservation Area.”
Supporting Digbeth’s continued growth
The scheme represented a significant investment in Birmingham’s cultural and hospitality offer. Planning permission was granted in October 2024 for the use of the arches and associated structures as a food, drink and entertainment venue.
The approved proposals would have created Boxpark’s first Midlands venue, occupying four railway arches on Floodgate Street. The development comprised almost 17,000 sq. ft. of internal space, alongside more than 10,500 sq. ft. of external event and dining space, providing opportunities for independent food operators, local businesses, artists and creative entrepreneurs.
The proposals also demonstrated the potential to generate around 200 new jobs and contribute significantly to footfall and economic activity in Digbeth, reinforcing the area’s reputation as one of Birmingham’s most dynamic destinations.
Our work helped establish a clear planning and heritage justification for the scheme, demonstrating how significant new investment could be accommodated within one of Birmingham’s most important historic structures while preserving and enhancing its heritage significance.
By combining a robust heritage assessment with a collaborative planning approach, we helped secure planning permission for a scheme that successfully balanced heritage conservation and regeneration ambitions in one of Birmingham’s most significant historic environments.