Homes England has selected Digbeth Loc Studios Ltd as its preferred development partner for a £35m creative and mixed-use neighbourhood on Fazeley Street in Digbeth, Birmingham.
Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, is a director of Digbeth Loc Studios, which oversaw the construction of the Birmingham film studio of the same name. The proposed development aims to build on Digbeth’s growing role as a centre for film and television production, combining creative workspace with new homes and other mixed-use facilities.
Jo Nugent, executive director for the Midlands at Homes England, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to build on Digbeth’s unique identity and growing reputation as a centre for creative excellence.
“Working closely with our partners, we want to deliver a place that celebrates the area’s heritage while creating new opportunities for people and businesses to thrive.
“Digbeth Loc Studios has already played a pivotal role in the area’s growth as a destination for film and television production. Together, we will seek to create a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood that supports economic growth, delivers new homes and further strengthens Birmingham’s position as a leading creative and cultural centre.”
Knight said: “Fazeley Street is the next stage of Digbeth’s creative story. Digbeth is already one of Birmingham’s most vibrant and distinctive neighbourhoods, and we are proud to have played a part in that at Digbeth Loc Studios, home to the new Peaky Blinders franchise.
“Alongside the BBC’s investment at Typhoo Wharf and the wider community of creative businesses, artists and cultural organisations embedded here, we now have an opportunity to accelerate the development of one of the UK’s most dynamic creative and cultural quarters.
“Our ambition is to create a place where creative businesses can grow and local talent can build a future, strengthening Birmingham’s reputation as a global destination for film and television production.
“Over the coming months, we will be working with Homes England, Birmingham City Council, the Mayor of the West Midlands and the West Midlands Combined Authority to implement our plans. It is a vision which will build on Digbeth’s creative and industrial heritage whilst opening up new opportunities for the city and its people.”
