Historic Birmingham pub to be transformed into apartments despite objections to plans

A historic pub in Erdington which became a playground of criminal activity and an arson attack is set to be flattened to make way for apartments.

The Bagot Arms, on the corner of Eachelhurst Road and Chester Road, will be transformed into 51 apartments – 31 one-bedroom flats, 17 two-bedroom flats and three flats with three bedrooms.

The Pype Hayes pub was discovered to be an undercover cannabis farm by West Midlands Police in 2019. Last year, the pub was devastated in an alleged arson attack, and has since remained derelict.

Previously, PJ Planning, working on behalf of global investment business Blackstone, claimed several options had been considered but said the building would be demolished. “We understand engineers have looked at the situation further,” a spokesperson said.

“We have been going through a long pre-application scheme with the council for over 12 months to discuss the redevelopment of the site.

“We know the public house is important to the local community in terms of heritage but clearly, it has been in poor condition for a while now, so we looked at what the options were.

“The layout of the pub means it is a wet trade pub rather than a food pub. That clearly wasn’t enough to support it before and wouldn’t be enough to support it in the future. The council reviewed that report independently and agreed with its conclusions.”

Have there been any objections to the planning proposals for The Bagot Arms in Erdington?

A total of 30 letters of objection and a 31-signature petition against the development were received from local residents.

The loss of a landmark building which they believe should be restored; inappropriate design; increased traffic volume; and overlooking of neighbouring properties are some of residents concerns.

Labour councillor Lee Marsham (Nechells) said the pub was “an institution” in north Birmingham. Speaking at Birmingham City Council’s planning committee, he said: “The Bagot Arms was one of those pubs that was known throughout north Birmingham – it’s an institution.

“I think its sad that the pub went and then obviously we lost the building. The building is not salvageable, with our need for homes, this is a good use of a rundown sites and a nice design with good public transport connections to Erdington, Sutton Coldfield, and [Birmingham].”

Conservative councillor David Barrie (Sutton Walmley & Minworth) said the apartments “overwhelm the area”. “I think they could have done far, far better,” he added.

Liberal Democrat councillor Colin Green (Sheldon) criticised the plans for not having enough parking spaces. He said: “The council rules suggest that there should be 61 parking spaces, there actually only providing 35. It’s not even close. Despite good transport links, they should be trying better than this.”

Labour councillor Jane Jones (Stockland Green) said she would have preferred the accommodation to be transformed into something for elderly residents.

She said: “I know that local people are a bit concerned about this kind of development, but I just think something’s been missed [..]. I think it would have been nice if it would have been for some elderly people.

“I know we have to deal with what the planning is there but it’s such a flat area, we’ve facilities, the park is over the road, the GP practice. I just think we have missed something anything. But having said that, we are so desperate for residential accommodation.

“One of the things I liked about this developments, it’s it’s not perfect in terms of, you know, appearance, but at least there are a variety of sizes of flats, and three-bedroom ones for families.”

The plans were voted six in favour, three against, and one abstention.