A new neighbourhood plan has been devised to support jewellery and creative industries in the Jewellery Quarter after local businesses and residents had their say.
Home to gold and silversmiths that have been working there for 250 years, the historic area is set to be under development for the next decade.
More than 300 jewellery-related businesses operate in the Quarter, with a workforce of around 4,000 and generating £750m each year.
The neighbourhood plan includes aims to improve the quality of new buildings, protecting heritage buildings and tackling dereliction. The plan was put to the vote on last week. An overwhelming 94 per cent of residents and 60 per cent voted in favour of the plans.
Historic England and Birmingham City Council have also showed their support.
The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) developed the plans back in 2014, alongside local businesses, residents and community groups.
The project will further support the jewellery and creative industries the Jewellery Quarter is home to.
Over 10,000 already live in the area, with an influx of many others. As the demand for housing increases, 1,000 houses are planning to be built in the next three years.
To accommodate the increased footfall, the neighbourhood plans also aims to make travel around the Jewellery Quarter safer.
Nicola Fleet-Milne, co-chair of the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Plan committee, said: “Nobody cares more for this wonderful area than the people who live and work here. The overwhelming vote in favour of the Plan is a ringing endorsement of how invested both residents and businesses are in preserving this special place.”
