Harborne eyesore set to become new apartment block
A DERELICT eyesore at the gateway to one of Birmingham’s most affluent areas could be redeveloped into a new residential scheme under plans submitted to the city council.
Developer Harborne Maine wants to bulldoze the semi-derelict Huntsman pub on the corner of High Street and Harborne Park Road and build a new apartment block.
A planning statement prepared by RPS Planning & Development on behalf of Harborne Maine outlines the case for the new development, which would accommodate 14 apartments.
The application proposes a 3.5-storey building comprising 12 one bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom flats. Access will be off Harborne Park Road.
The statement says: “The dilapidated former public house stands in a prominent location which has an impact on the amenity of the locality.”
It adds: “Whilst the development represents the loss of the former public house and redevelopment for an alternative use, the availability of a high number of alternative facilities in the locality, ensures that this development would not have a detrimental impact on the local community.”
The planning brief said there was already plenty of residential accommodation nearby and the local infrastructure was well capable of supporting the new scheme.
The pub was seriously damaged in an arson attack in July 2013 and was reduced to a single storey following the demolition of the upper floor.
The building caused problems earlier this year when debris from the site blew onto Harborne Park Road following strong winds. The debris closed the road until the rubble could be cleared.
