(Birmingham 31 July 2025) The Pickstock Group has unveiled proposals for the Bill House site on Soho Hill, Birmingham.  The 2.5 acre site has been vacant in recent years affected by a series of fire related blazes, attracting anti-social behaviour.

The development proposals follow early stakeholder engagement, supporting surveys, reports and planning appraisals to inform the transformation of the derelict site into a vibrant, mixed-use community, helping to reinvigorate the wider area. It is proposed that the site will comprise of 115 new houses and apartments alongside an 80-bed care home provision.

“The scheme offers a dynamic approach to different housing typologies, offering affordable housing, open market sale and lease options, alongside a supporting care provision offer” commented Liam Davies, Development Director for The Pickstock Group.

The Pickstock Group has collaborated with a multi professional consultant team to develop proposals that are thoughtful, sustainable and responsive to the needs of the community.

Adam McPartland, Managing Director at Glancy Nichol Architects said, “this will be a comprehensive redevelopment of a brownfield site that is sensitive to the local characteristics, providing multi generation living, aligned with the needs of the local community. The scheme will create a sense of place that feels authentic, uplifting and contributing to the wider regeneration and delivery aspirations for the area”.

Jacob Bonehill, Director – Planning, RPS Group, a Tetra Tech Company, said: “These proposals offer an opportunity to deliver much needed new homes and employment opportunities beyond the city centre. While the continued renaissance of the city core should be celebrated, for far too long the benefits of growth have been focused within the Inner Ring Road. This is precisely why the vision set out in the Central Birmingham Framework 2045 rightly looks to support developments like this in locations such as Soho Hill”.

Plans for redevelopment of the site has been welcomed amongst the community with backing from local organisations such as Soho Road BID.

“Soho Road BID is pleased to support and endorse the proposals for the redevelopment of Bill House on Soho Hill. Local businesses, residents, and the wider community advocate and support the demolition of the buildings on the site to enable the scheme to move forward” commented Bob Balu, Chairman Soho Road BID.

Feedback is being sought for the emerging plans. Further details on the proposals for the site can be found at www.bill-house.com.

The Pickstock Group has secured a resolution to grant for a 355-unit residential scheme at 68-70 Stratford High Street in London, following success at the London Borough of Newham planning committee on 18th March.

The brand-new residential scheme will deliver 272 apartments as well as 83 affordable homes and will have roof top amenities for residents with views to Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park.

The riverside development will see significant improvements to security and ensure safe, accessible, inclusive space for the whole community to enjoy, including a community café and performance venue as well as a new public park with playground. 

The Pickstock Group will develop the site themselves and will now work to finalise the S106 with London Borough of Newham Council and seek GLA Stage 2 approval. Technical design and procurement will also now commence with the aim of starting construction in Q2 2026 following building regulatory approval.

“This is a significant development for Stratford High Street, and we are thrilled to have achieved resolution on this site” commented Bradley Carter Development Director at The Pickstock Group. “I would like to thank London Borough of Newham Council and the community in seeing our vision for an added value asset to the borough” added Bradley.

The site was formally a Porsche dealership situated adjacent to the new Pudding Mill masterplan, led by the London Legacy Development Corporation and the location is perfect for commuters with the Puddling Mill DLR within 500 m and Stratford Station within 10 minutes’ walk providing underground and rail links across London and out of the city. 

The Pickstock Group has submitted a planning application to Newham Council to develop a 355-home built-to-rent scheme on Stratford High Street.

The site at 68-70 Stratford High Street was formally a Porsche dealership and is a prime opportunity for regeneration in the area, situated adjacent to the new Pudding Mill masterplan, led by the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Plans submitted to Newham Council detail the proposal of 355 apartments consisting of 272 private homes for rent and 83 genuinely affordable homes.

The development is adjacent to the Bow Back River to the rear of the building which will see significant improvements to improve security and ensure safe, accessible and inclusive space for the whole community to enjoy, including a community run bistro/ performance venue and a new public park with playground.

The site is a prime location for commuters into the city with the Puddling Mill DLR within 500 m of the site and Stratford Station within 10 minutes walk providing underground and rail links across London and out of the city. The development will also provide a safeguarded area for a future bus and pedestrian bridge allowing buses to run directly from the Olympic Park to Bow where a temporary park will be delivered as a meanwhile use.

Following 2 stages of public consultation which was met with positive feedback that has helped finalise the submission, The Pickstock Group expect to gain consent in Q1 2025. The Pickstock Group will develop the scheme themselves following consent being granted.

Saltwater Place in Plymouth officially opened its doors this month.

The student accommodation which has 348 rooms in total across two buildings, has this week opened its doors to students achieving 100% occupancy rate on its first opening.

The scheme is managed by student operator Prestige Student Living, who have executed a successful marketing campaign and are reputable managers in the student sector.

The new development is much needed for the growing student population in the city and offers state of the art accommodation with contemporary studios and cluster apartments, for four to six occupants.

The site also has a communal area for all students to enjoy, a space to relax and socialise away from their accommodation, and it’s in a great location with the University and all amenities within a short walking distance.

“We are thrilled to see Saltwater Place open its doors to students and to have achieved such a strong occupancy in the first year of trading. The upgraded ground floor facilities really enhance the scheme and we look forward to finalising the finishing touches with a student gym and a convenience store retail coming soon” commented Kate Pickstock, Development Director at The Pickstock Group.

“This accommodation eases the pressure on the city to accommodate its growing population of students and will serve the city well into the future” Added Kate.