Plans for landmark Birmingham pub to be turned into flats

New plans have been launched to turn a disused pub in Erdington into accommodation after an HMO plan was rejected.

The Royal Oak, on Marsh Lane, was the source of much local anger in the summer with a petition from local MP Paulette Hamilton saying there were already too many homes of multiple occupation in the area.

Lodged with Birmingham City Council on September 21, the new proposals look to create three one-bedroom flats on the ground floor, last used as the main pub area. The first floor would have another one-bedroom flat and a two-bedroom, each with their own lounge area and toilet.

Cycle storage would be provided on-site as well as some green space at the rear. Plans in their current form say that no extra car parking would be provided.

The HMO bid earlier this year from Keey Homes sought to transform the pub into a 10 bedrooms and a two-bed apartment. Documents said the rooms would be for ‘single professionals who cannot afford to rent a house or flat on their own’.

City planners rejected the scheme in July saying the use of the building as an HMO would ‘contribute to the incremental erosion of the area’s family character’.

MP Ms Hamilton said in her letter of objection: “Many constituents have contacted me, worried about the detrimental impact yet another HMO would have on the area, and I share their concerns. It is noted there are very few retail facilities in the local area, as well as limited access to public facilities such as GPs.”

The pub currently lies vacant and was listed on Rightmove last year for £275,000. The new plans have been put forward by a different applicant, Mrs Pooja Jobanputra, but have used the same Midlands-based architecture firm, Hepburn Daoudi.