First phase of Arena Central scheme in for planning

The developer behind Arena Central, a 2.3 million sq ft city centre scheme in Birmingham, has submitted a detailed application for the first building in the masterplan.

Arena Central Developments, a joint venture between Bridgehouse Capital and Miller Developments, today submitted a planning application for the 140,000 sq ft 1 Arena Central, designed by architect Make.

The submission follows the revelation by Building last week that the developers have decided to push ahead on construction of the scheme this year – dependent upon planning approval – despite having not secured a tenant for the building.

The scheme is one of the first major speculative office developments outside the capital to get the go-ahead since the beginning of the economic recovery last year.

The news also follows the admission by Dennis Henderson, commercial director of Peel Ports, that the firm is planning to spend at least £350m on capital projects in the North-west over the next decade.