Size matters

Might one be mildly surprised that the BBC has suddenly found enough space in its yet-to-be-occupied Tea Factory in Digbeth for Birmingham City University to lease space to run courses in media, journalism, content creation, production and broadcast technology ?

The design was set with planning permission granted in March 2023, way after Covid. Occupancy was then expected in 2026.  In December 2023, opening date was moved to 2027.  Now this:

"Subject to final planning and landlord’s approvals, BCU will lease space within the Tea Factory and create state-of-the-art training facilities built to BBC specifications. These will include sector leading hi-tech studios, workshops, teaching rooms and breakout areas."

Is there something genetic in the ambition of the BBC's Nations & Regions, to build too big ?  Large areas of Pacific Quay are empty; the Cardiff bus station-site for BBC Wales/Cymru is less penetrable. The BBC in Northern Ireland has had its transformation ambitions curtailed to a refurb, with the recent announcement of a studio/event space in the new Belfast Stories development, to come on stream in 2030.