‘West Midlands ‘aparthotel’ refused after dozens of objections

Proposals for an ‘aparthotel’ have been refused amid dozens of objections – including one from Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood.

Plans were previously lodged to convert a care hostel into an ‘aparthotel’, a type of accommodation which blends the space of a residential apartment with the services of a traditional hotel.

The development at 13 Soho Road would have included six bedrooms, a reception/lounge, gym and bathroom.

But the proposals sparked dozens of objections, with Birmingham Ladywood MP and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood among them.

She said she had been contacted by a number of residents who feared the number of people housed in the ‘aparthotel’ could be ‘over-intensive’ and that the site being close to nurseries and primary schools could pose ‘safeguarding risks’.

But in a report published ahead of a recent planning meeting, a council officer wrote that concerns over ‘intensive use’ had been addressed by reducing the number of bedrooms from 10 to six.

“Furthermore, the location of the proposed aparthotel use will comply with local policy,” they continued.

On concerns over safeguarding issues due to the proximity of nurseries and primary schools, the report said: “It should be noted that the site was previously operated as a care hostel which is similar in its comings and goings of people often for an unknown duration.”

An officer also confirmed at the meeting that West Midlands Police now “raise no objections subject to conditions” after the force previously highlighted a number of concerns.

But anxieties over the proposals persisted later on in the meeting, with Soho and Jewellery Quarter Councillor Shuranjeet Singh saying that “there are over 75 letters of objection which have been received from the local community”.

“We feel these haven’t been adequately considered within the report or given appropriate weight in the planning balance,” he argued.

Cllr Raaj Shamji (Conservative, Four Oaks Sutton) said he wouldn’t be supporting the application, telling the meeting: “You have to consider the location – close to four schools, a place of worship and sanctuary.”

“I’m going to reject this application,” Cllr Rinkal Shergill (Birmingham Independent Workers Group, Holyhead) added. “This is my neighbouring ward and residents […] already report parking, anti-social behaviour issues.”

But Cllr Martin Brooks, chair of the planning committee, argued: “It’s about bringing a listed building back into proper use.

“And I would say substantial amendments have been made to this scheme as a result of our conservation team.

“A lot of changes have taken place to ensure the integrity of that listed building.”

Addressing the concerns raised, a council officer also told the meeting: “In terms of the location, we have a hotel proposed and it’s in a local centre – so I suggest that’s where you would, in theory, want a hotel.”

He continued that West Midlands Police had asked for a number of conditions, including a management plan and CCTV.

According to the recently-published report, the agent behind the proposals had responded to the police force’s fears by saying there would be a number of measures to ensure a secure aparthotel is provided.

The council officer also stressed that the number of proposed parking spaces met policy requirements, with the report previously adding that the proposal is “unlikely to have a detrimental impact on the safe operation of surrounding streets”.

The committee ultimately voted to refuse the plans however, with parking and highways concerns being suggested as a possible reason for refusal.

“I feel like the most arguable reason for refusal would be around perhaps highways safety implications,” the council officer said.

“I must say I think it’s a very weak reason for refusal but if we’re going to put our best foot forward and have something that’s arguable, I would suggest that’s the route we go down.”