Plans to demolish former Birmingham police station and build new homes are given the green light

Developers were seeking permission to build townhouses, apartments and a detached house where Harborne Police Station was based in Rose Road.

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A recently-published council report said the police station ceased use back in October 2023 and existing buildings on the site would be demolished under the plans.

It continued that numerous factors weighed in favour of the application, including the use of brownfield land for homes and the reduction of traffic in comparison to the site’s previous use.

At a recent planning meeting, Harborne councillor Martin Brooks said: “Overall it’s a decent scheme, it reuses a brownfield site which has been vacant now for over two years.”

“On balance, I think this is replacing an unloved building with housing that we need,” Coun David Barrie said. “I think it’s well-designed and the density is suitable for where it is.”

Coun Jamie Scott described it as a “tasteful” application but was among the members of the committee who were disappointed by the number of affordable homes (three homes out of 50).

Coun Lee Marsham said he would write to West Midlands Police to ensure there are tighter restrictions around future development uses when it comes to the future sales of public land.

“I think the social and affordable housing is unacceptable,” he said.

According to the report, the council would usually seek 35 per cent affordable homes as a “developer contribution” on major applications.

But in this case, the applicant was allowed ‘vacant building credit’ (VBC) to reduce this requirement.

“Obviously the developers used the VBC which is their prerogative,” Coun Marsham said at the meeting. “I hope it’s not something that other applicants think is a way of getting through this committee, because we will call it out.

“The scheme overall is a good scheme and suitable for the area, it’s just really disappointing on the social and affordable.”

The report also described the “economic and employment benefits” associated with the construction of the development as “significant”.

It added the application site is located around 60 metres north of the Grade II listed Fire Station and Station Cottages, with “intervening uses in between”.

“The existing building, a large 1980s building without significant architectural merit, is considered a broadly negative feature in the listed building’s setting,” it said.

“In comparison, the proposed development would be smaller in scale and of a higher architectural quality.

“As such, the proposal would not result in harm to the significance of this heritage asset [and] would result in a number of significant public benefits.”

The proposals were approved by members of the council’s planning committee on Thursday, February 19.

Spitfire Homes confirmed it had completed the acquisition of the site in the spring of last year.

Before then, the West Midlands Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner insisted in June 2024 that tackling crime in Harborne remains a “top priority” and that nearby Quinton Police Station would be retained and refurbished.

“These decisions reflect the independent, impartial, and operational policing judgement and recommendation of the Chief Constable and West Midlands Police,” a statement read.

“Preventing, tackling and reducing crime and the safety and security of the people and communities of Harborne is a top priority for West Midlands Police, as it is for all of the people and communities of the West Midlands.”

It continued that choices have had to be made “between maintaining police officer numbers versus police buildings”.

“West Midlands Police continues to have fewer police officers than in 2010,” the statement said.

“The WMP Estates Strategy and receipts from disposals help maintain police officer and police staff numbers, and secure the financial viability of West Midlands Police.

“Without this, up to 860 police officer posts would be at risk.”