Former Harborne Police Station Set for Demolition to Make Way for New Housing Development
Proposals to demolish a former Birmingham police station and construct new residential properties on the site have received official approval from local authorities. Developers have been granted permission to build a mix of townhouses, apartments, and a detached house at the location of the old Harborne Police Station on Rose Road, marking a significant shift in land use for the area.
Council Report Highlights Benefits of Brownfield Redevelopment
A recently published council report confirmed that the police station ceased operations in October 2023, with existing structures slated for demolition under the new plans. The document emphasized several advantages of the application, notably the utilization of brownfield land for housing and a projected reduction in traffic compared to the site's previous function as a police facility.
During a recent planning meeting, Harborne councillor Martin Brooks commented, "Overall it's a decent scheme, it reuses a brownfield site which has been vacant now for over two years." Coun David Barrie added, "On balance, I think this is replacing an unloved building with housing that we need. I think it's well-designed and the density is suitable for where it is."
Affordable Housing Concerns Raised by Committee Members
While the development was generally praised for its design, some committee members expressed disappointment over the limited provision of affordable homes. The plans include only three affordable units out of a total of 50 properties. Coun Lee Marsham stated, "I think the social and affordable housing is unacceptable," and indicated he would write to West Midlands Police to advocate for stricter controls on future public land sales to ensure better affordability outcomes.
The council typically aims for 35% affordable housing in major applications as a developer contribution. However, in this instance, the applicant utilized 'vacant building credit' (VBC) to lower this requirement. Coun Marsham noted at the meeting, "Obviously the developers used the VBC which is their prerogative. 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."
Heritage and Economic Considerations
The council report also addressed heritage concerns, noting the site is approximately 60 metres north of the Grade II listed Fire Station and Station Cottages. It described the existing police building, a large structure from the 1980s with limited architectural value, as a "broadly negative feature" in the setting of the listed asset. In contrast, the proposed development is expected to be smaller in scale and of higher architectural quality, with no harm to the heritage asset and offering significant public benefits.
Economically, the report highlighted substantial employment and economic benefits associated with the construction phase. The planning committee formally approved the proposals on Thursday, February 19.
Background on Police Station Closure and Force Priorities
Spitfire Homes confirmed it acquired the site in the spring of the previous year. Prior to this, in June 2024, the West Midlands Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner reassured the community that tackling crime in Harborne remains a top priority, with nearby Quinton Police Station to be retained and refurbished. A statement explained that decisions reflect operational policing judgments, emphasizing that choices have been necessary between maintaining police officer numbers and police buildings.
The statement further clarified, "West Midlands Police continues to have fewer police officers than in 2010. 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." This underscores the broader context of resource allocation within the force, linking property sales to job preservation.
