Delay in Construction of £1.9bn Smithfield Development in Birmingham, Completion Pushed to 2035

The future of Birmingham’s Smithfield development hangs in the balance as the developer, Lendlease, steps back from the construction phase of its UK projects. The £1.9bn regeneration project, set to bring new homes, businesses, and open spaces to the city center by 2035, is now uncertain as Lendlease focuses on its Australian market and looks for outside investors for UK projects.

The Southside Business Improvement District (BID) has called the move “alarming,” highlighting concerns over the delays in the construction of the ambitious Smithfield scheme. The city council’s planning committee recently deferred a decision on the project due to concerns about the lack of sufficient open space within the development.

Amidst these challenges, Lendlease reassured that it remains committed to its UK projects, including Smithfield. The company is aiming to secure planning consent as soon as possible and may consider selling some plots to other developers and investors. However, the scaled-back plans for a festival square within the development have raised concerns among organizers of events like Birmingham Pride.

As the fate of Smithfield remains uncertain, Birmingham residents and stakeholders await further developments with hopes that the city’s vibrant future will not be compromised. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.