Fears for future of listed Arts & Crafts buildings
HISTORIC listed buildings on a university campus which have been boarded up for 15 years are at risk of being lost forever, residents fear.
The Grade II-listed buildings at the University of Birmingham’s Selly Oak campus are falling into disrepair.
Councillors and conservationists said back in 2015 that the buildings, known as ‘The Close’, were vulnerable to arson attack after a similar incident befell the university-owned Northfield Manor House, which led to its demolition.
But Ben Rose, 22, a product design graduate who lives in Selly Oak, said the Arts and Crafts-style buildings were still “deteriorating” and added that the nearby Elmfield House has also now been boarded up.
He said: “The buildings behind the university school have been boarded up and left since 2005.
“They continue to stand derelict and neglected and falling into disrepair. If something is not done soon they will lost forever like the nearby Manor House in Manor Farm Park that burnt down.
“Elmfield House, located on the corner of College Walk and Bristol Road, more recently has been boarded up. There is a housing shortage and people living homeless yet this building stands empty.”
The university said the buildings are routinely repaired and form part of a planned Selly Oak campus estates strategy.
A spokesperson said: “The buildings known as ‘The Close’ are watertight, secured and regularly inspected and, where required, repairs are carried out.
“The university is considering options for the future estates strategy for the Selly Oak Campus and The Close will form part of that strategy.
“The university takes its obligations as custodians for listed and historic buildings very seriously, as can be seen in the recent restoration of Garth House – the Grade II*-listed Arts and Crafts building that was recently restored to enhance its unique identity and character, whilst remaining sympathetic to the surrounding environment which forms part of the Edgbaston Conservation Area.
“Care and consideration was given to its subtle details, with extensive historic repairs to its grand interiors such as the renovation of the original wood panelling and plasterwork detailing, replacement of stainedglass windows and the exposure of fascinating historic details, such as an original cast iron horse trough in the coach house.
“The university is also part way through its careful refurbishment of the former Birmingham Municipal Bank in Broad Street, which has been vacant since 2006 and is a Grade II -listed building.”