B&B ruin to be bulldozed to build three-storey flats
A BED & breakfast gutted by fire seven years ago is finally set to be torn down and replaced by a three-storey block of flats.
But police warned the block is in a crime-hit area of Hagley Road, in Edgbaston, and called for the building to be goiven heightened security.
The crumbling B&B which is in a dangerous condition, has been branded an ‘eyesore’ by the developer.
The original semi-detached building was a Gothic-style villa dating back to around 1890.
It is thought it was converted into a hotel in the 1960s before it was ravaged by fire in 2011. It will now be bulldozed to make way for a 28-apartment building.
The block will not provide any affordable housing but the applicant has agreed to pay Birmingham City Council £200,000 towards delivering that elsewhere.
The council’s planning committee passed the re-development proposal without debate.
There was little opposition save for two residents who feared the building would be out of character, impede on privacy and that the adjoining car park at the back would cause a noise nuisance. The police did not oppose the scheme but warned the area was blighted by vehicle crimes, burglaries, disorder and thefts. The area is home to several bail hostels.
They recommended the new block should have a gated entrance and a 7ft high boundary at the back.
A report by a council planning officer said: “The proposal would replace the existing ruined hotel with an attractive development of good quality flats, considerably improving the appearance of the site and helping to upgrade the general character of the area.”