Campaigners are challenging plans to demolish Birmingham’s Ringway Centre

Campaigners have called for a judicial review to stop the demolition of a 1960s Birmingham office complex.

In a decision in February, Birmingham planning officials voted to replace the Ringway Center with three residential blocks.

Developer CEG was given the go-ahead, by seven votes to four, to demolish the landmark building on the Grade B site and build up to 1,750 apartments over 44, 48 and 56 storeys in its place.

The Save Smallbrook collective is advocating for the preservation and reuse of the structure, citing grounds for a legal challenge and arguing for an alternative solution, postulating that it could be executed with a reduced carbon footprint and in a shorter timeframe.

Designed by James Roberts, acclaimed for Birmingham’s Rotunda, the structure is touted by campaigners as an example of Brutalist architecture in the city.

However, developers have contested, saying the project aims to introduce new public areas to “rejuvenate the township” and attract fresh visitors.

It said the 15% of affordable housing provision would be increased to 20% in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority. Most of these will be three-bedroom family homes at a 30% discount.

Approximately 95% of the building’s existing material will be recycled, with the remaining 5% consisting of asbestos and other materials that cannot be reused.

The Twentieth Century Society (C20), has placed Smallbrook Ringway on its 2023 Risk List of the top 10 most threatened UK buildings.

Save Smallbrook comprises a coalition of Brutiful Birmingham, Birmingham Modernist Society, Twentieth Century Society, Zero Carbon House and the Birmingham Fair Housing Campaign.

The group’s case will be led by lawyer Estelle Dehon KC as its legal representative.

A documentary outlining the campaign’s narrative has been produced and is set to debut at Birmingham’s Flatpack Film Festival on May 11.