A Birmingham councillor has called for an investigation after a former college site was “devastated” by fire, raising serious questions about the council’s management of public assets.
The blaze broke out at the disused Hunters Hill College site in Blackwell, near Bromsgrove, on Monday at around 9pm. Multiple fire crews tackled the flames throughout the night while residents living nearby were urged to keep their windows and doors closed.
Background of the site
Hunters Hill College used to provide specialist education for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) before its closure in 2021. Responsibility for the site then transferred to Birmingham City Council. The former college has been vacant for numerous years, sparking concerns among some that the historic site was being ‘neglected’.
Councillor’s reaction
Amid this backdrop, Birmingham Conservative councillor Alex Yip argued this week that the fire raises “serious questions about the financial mismanagement of public assets and the council’s long-term planning for SEND provision”.
“I am appalled to hear that the former Hunters Hill School has been devastated by fire,” he said. “This was a building with a rich history that served generations of children and families. It was a valuable public asset that should never have been allowed to fall into such a state.”
He continued: “I strongly opposed the decision to close the school and warned at the time that Birmingham was reducing its own SEND capacity while spending significant sums on transport and independent specialist placements. The council has a duty to provide for and anticipate the future needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Years of underinvestment and the failure to undertake basic maintenance should never have been used as justification for closure.”
Coun Yip went on to argue that the condition of the building was the “result of decisions made over many years, not an argument for abandoning it”. “For it then to have further neglected for almost five years and still meet this sad end demands accountability,” he added.
Questions raised
Coun Yip is now calling for an investigation and said he is seeking answers to a number of questions, including: why the building remained vacant for such a prolonged period after its closure; what security and maintenance measures were put in place to protect the site; and why the property became vulnerable to vandalism and fire.
Council’s response
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said they understand the concern the fire at the former college site will cause “given the building’s history and its importance to many families”.
On its closure, they said: “Hunters Hill was a residential SEMH school which closed in 2021 following a formal decision-making process that considered a range of factors. These include the condition of the building and educational standards. At that time, all pupils were supported to transition to appropriate alternative provision.”
“Following its closure, responsibility for the site transferred to the council in its role as trustee, with management arrangements overseen through our Corporate Landlord function. Approval was previously granted to progress the disposal of the wider Cropwood Estate, and work has been underway to prepare the site for marketing, including appointing agents and developing sales particulars.”
They went on to say that in the period since closure, the council had taken steps to reduce risks at the site, including moving ahead with partial demolition works to “mitigate fire and wider safety concerns”.
“Despite these measures, it is clear that this has not been sufficient to prevent this latest incident,” they acknowledged. “In light of the fire, we will now need to review the disposal strategy and associated plans to ensure they remain appropriate. Our priority will be to work with the Trust and Charities Committee to progress a transfer of the site and secure a suitable long-term use as soon as possible.”
“We recognise the concerns that have been raised about the site remaining vacant. As with many specialist former education sites, identifying a viable future use can take time, particularly given the need to balance educational, community and legal considerations linked to its trust status. The council takes the safety and security of its sites seriously and will continue to review arrangements as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.”
They added: “We remain committed to ensuring that all children and young people in Birmingham, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, have access to appropriate, high-quality provision across the city.”
The fire service confirmed that no-one was injured in the incident and an investigation into the cause of the blaze had begun.
