Planning application to Birmingham City Council will propose new family homes, a care home and high-quality landscaped spaces as part of the comprehensive regeneration of the brownfield site

Plans are being prepared for the comprehensive redevelopment of the former Bill House site on Soho Road, Handsworth, with a planning application expected to be submitted to Birmingham City Council.

The proposals have been shaped by technical surveys and planning and land use appraisals, refined in response to pre-application feedback from Birmingham City Council. Engagement with local councillors, MPs, the Nishkam Centre, the Church Development Agency, Soho Road BID, West Midlands Police, community organisations and residents has helped inform this ambitious scheme. It will transform the derelict brownfield site into a vibrant residential-led development and support the wider regeneration of the area.

The proposed development will deliver:

> 40 four-bedroom family townhouses, each with dedicated parking, electric vehicle charging, an air-source heat pump, solar panels and battery storage.

> A 70-bed care home, supported by dedicated staff and visitor parking.

> New high-quality landscaped open spaces, including extensive tree planting with a diverse range of species, communal gardens and a dedicated children’s play area.

> Continued vehicular access via Villa Road, maintaining an established connection to the surrounding area.

The scheme has been designed to respond sensitively to the local character of Handsworth while delivering a modern, sustainable development that supports multi-generational living and reflects the needs of the local community.

A public consultation event as well as an online survey will help inform the local community and gain feedback and ideas that might help shape the proposal.

A key objective of the proposals is to introduce a diverse mix of housing and supporting care provision, creating a community that caters for different stages of life. The development will incorporate a range of housing opportunities, including affordable housing, open-market homes and lease options, alongside the proposed care home.

The redevelopment will also significantly improve the appearance and quality of the site and its surroundings. New landscaping, tree planting, communal areas and play space will create a stronger sense of place, while improvements to the streetscape will provide safer, more welcoming spaces for residents, visitors and the wider community.

The project team believes the proposals represent an important opportunity to bring a long-standing derelict site back into productive use, delivering much-needed homes and care provision while creating a high-quality environment that can contribute positively to the ongoing regeneration of Handsworth.

The new Bill House development aims to create a place that feels authentic, uplifting and connected to its surroundings, providing a long-term positive legacy for existing and future residents and supporting the wider community.

The public consultation event took place on Friday 18^th September at St Francis Centre, 101 Hunters Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B19 1EB. It’s not too late to have your say, you can fill out the survey by visiting www.bill-house.com.

Pickstock Telford has broken ground on a new, world class beef procession facility in Ecclefechan, Dumfries and Galloway. The new facility is set to create jobs, reduce food miles, strengthen Scotland’s food supply chain and keep more value within the rural economy.

The Pickstock Group has played a central role in supporting Pickstock Telford in bringing the new facility forward, securing the relevant utility connections and energy provision drawing on its extensive experience across property development, legal advisory, construction and project management.

The Group provided specialist support throughout the grant funding process, helping to develop the application and supporting case that secured a £4.7 million investment from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) – one of the economic and community development agency’s largest investments to date. The grant will make a significant contribution towards the £24 million development.

The Pickstock Group will continue to support the project through overall programme management and development expertise to help deliver the new facility. This includes the appointment of the main contractor and relevant fit out packages following completion of the enabling works programme and the implementation of low-carbon technologies and supporting infrastructure.

SOSE Chief Executive Jane Morrison-Ross said: “This is a major investment in Scottish beef and Scottish agriculture, the wider story is one of innovation, sustainability and economic transformation.The development combines modern food processing with renewable energy, resource recovery, improved transport efficiency and stronger supply chains.”

By reducing livestock transport, improving energy resilience and generating renewable power on site, the facility is expected to support significant carbon reductions while maintaining high animal welfare standards.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Ecclefechan site on Wednesday 16 September with representatives of Pickstock Telford, SOSE and Dumfries & Galloway Council to mark the start of works, with the new facility expected to be fully operational in early 2029.

Greg Pickstock of Pickstock Telford said:“Ecclefechan is about investing in that shared future, building long-term relationships with Scottish farmers, supporting high standards of animal welfare and ensuring that more of the value created by Scotland’s outstanding beef remains within the rural economy.”

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.