Former Cadbury home to be re-imagined in new Birmingham housing development

THE former family seat of the Cadbury family is to be re-imagined as part of a new residential development submitted for approval to Birmingham City Council.

Housebuilder Crest Nicholson is proposing to build 138 new homes on the 5.82-hectare site of the Manor House in Northfield as part of a major redevelopment.

The original house was badly damaged in an arson attack in 2014 and had to be demolished because it was unsafe.

The Manor House was originally built in 1820 and later became the home of George and Elizabeth Cadbury and their family until Elizabeth’s death in 1961.

The Manor House and wider grounds were acquired by the University of Birmingham in 1952 and a number of halls of residence were constructed. The university constructed the Wolfson Wing and subsequently in the 1990s it constructed the Joyce Cadbury Wing. The university ceased using the site in 2007.

Crest Nicholson is now proposing to demolish existing buildings on the site and replace them with the 138 new homes together with associated access, parking and external works. The new development will comprise 53 houses, 36 one-bed apartments, 47 two-bed apartments and two three-bed apartments.

To the western edge of the site are two small dewellings, Rose Cottage and Windmill Cottage, that are in a state of disrepair. The Manor House stood towards the centre of the site within a densely wooded area.

How the original Manor House used to look The application seeks to re-instate the design of the original Manor House (left) on the site as part of the proposed development. The former halls of residence are now in a poor condition and it is proposed to demolish them. The former student flats are deemed unsuitable for conversion to modern apartments.

A number of key views and vistas were identified in the early design stage as being worthy of preservation and these will be protected as part of the new development.

The site layout proposes a string of low-rise buildings to the north and east edges of the site. The low-rise aspects comprise detached, semi-detached and terraced housing. The three and four storey apartments will be located towards the centre of the site.

The re-instatement of the Manor House acted as an anchor point for two more blocks of apartments. The re-instated Manor House would be close to its original position and this was then used to locate the remaining buildings. These have been positioned to make best use of the natural gradients to reduce the overall impact of the site on its surroundings.

The approach to the original house

The approach to the original Manor House

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close