Major Redevelopment Plans for Former Harborne Police Station Recommended for Approval
Significant plans to demolish a former Birmingham police station and construct new residential properties on the site have been recommended for approval by city council officials. The proposal, submitted by Spitfire Homes, aims to transform the site of the former Harborne Police Station on Rose Road with a mix of townhouses, apartments, and a detached house.
Council Report Highlights Benefits of the Development
A new report from Birmingham City Council states that the police station ceased operations in October 2023, and the existing buildings would be demolished if the plans receive final approval at a planning committee meeting scheduled for next week. The report outlines several key factors supporting the application.
These include:
- The use of brownfield land for housing development, which helps preserve green spaces.
- A reduction in traffic compared to the site's previous use as a police station.
- Significant ecological enhancements planned for the area.
Moreover, the report emphasizes that the economic and employment benefits associated with the construction of this major development would be substantial, providing a boost to the local economy.
Heritage Considerations and Architectural Quality
The application site is located approximately 60 metres north of the Grade II listed Fire Station and Station Cottages, with intervening uses in between. The council report describes the existing police station building as a large 1980s structure without significant architectural merit, considering it a broadly negative feature in the setting of the listed building.
In contrast, the proposed development would be smaller in scale and of higher architectural quality. The report concludes that the proposal would not result in harm to the significance of this heritage asset and would deliver a number of significant public benefits, leading to its recommendation for approval.
Background on the Site and Police Priorities
Spitfire Homes confirmed that it completed the acquisition of the site in the spring of last year. Prior to this, the West Midlands Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner insisted in June 2024 that tackling crime in Harborne remains a top priority despite the disposal of its police station.
At that time, it was noted that nearby Quinton Police Station would be retained and refurbished. A statement from the office explained that these decisions reflect the independent, impartial, and operational policing judgement and recommendation of the Chief Constable and West Midlands Police.
The statement further clarified: Preventing, tackling, and reducing crime and ensuring the safety and security of the people and communities of Harborne is a top priority for West Midlands Police, as it is for all communities in the West Midlands.
It continued by explaining that difficult 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, and the estates strategy, along with receipts from disposals, helps maintain police officer and staff numbers while securing the financial viability of the force.
Without this approach, up to 860 police officer posts would be at risk, highlighting the broader context behind the station's closure and redevelopment.
