John Bright Street: New hotel will transform historic 1900s site in central Birmingham

Proposals to create a new hotel through the transformation of a site in Birmingham which dates back to the early 1900s have been backed by the council.

BPG Holdings brought forward plans to convert and extend 59-65 John Bright Street, which has been vacant for many years and was last used as a Brook Advisory Centre.

The site does not sit within any conservation areas but the immediate character of John Bright Street is "defined by a number of eclectic grade II-listed buildings.

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Lined up is the creation of a 40-room hotel/aparthotel with ground floor commercial space. Approximately half of the rooms will have a small kitchenette.

The proposed commercial unit will be located on and be accessed from the corner of the site.

A planning statement said the scheme is "intended as a contemporary interpretation of not only the language of the existing buildings but also of typical historic building types of the 20th century".

It added: "The development is shown to be an appropriate design solution for the site, responding to heritage issues and pre-application advice, demonstrating high design quality, enhancing local distinctiveness and making efficient and appropriate use of a brownfield site in an accessible location."

Birmingham City Council has now backed the project, subject to conditions.

An officer's report said: "The opportunity to repurpose the existing building with alterations, compared to a scheme for demolition and new-build, is welcomed in respect of minimising impact on the adjoining listed buildings and in relation to climate change and making use of existing embodied carbon."