Two Birmingham pubs set for new lease of life as homeless hostels

TWO Birmingham pubs are set to be converted into hostels despite widespread opposition to the schemes.

The first scheme is for the Aston Hotel in Witton Road, close to Villa Park.

The application proposes to demolish a single storey side extension and change the use of the building from a pub to a 41-bed hostel with associated landscaping and staff car parking.

The building would comprise 25 bedrooms on the ground floor within the main building and the separate annex, while there would also be a lobby, reception, office, CCTV room, sleep-off room, two kitchens (one of which contains three sets of kitchen equipment), ICT training room, leisure area, bathrooms, and w/c and store on the ground floor. On the first floor would be 15 bedrooms and a bathroom.

Police had initially opposed the plan but the applicants have addressed their concerns.
However, Perry Aston Residents Association, backed by a 172-name petition is opposed to the move, while a similar objection has been submitted by the Aston Voice Residents Association, which has been accompanied by a 121-name petition.

Fears over increasing crime and a proliferation of similar venues are just two of the reasons cited by the residents.

Despite the objections, planning officers have said there are no grounds on which the plan should be opposed.

The second application involves the former Warwick Arms (left), in Long Street, Sparkbrook.

Applicants have submitted plans to Birmingham City Council to change the use of the building from a pub and residence to a hostel for homeless people.

The plan would see the ground floor of the building converted to accommodate six bedrooms, two bathrooms, one wc, a main lounge, kitchen and management office. The first floor would also have six bedrooms plus two bathrooms, a wc, small lounge and small kitchen. A second floor would have four additional bedrooms and a bathroom.

The hostel is proposed to be managed by Birmingham homeless charity New Roots Ltd, which provides accommodation for non-priority homeless vulnerable adults. The site would be staffed and managed on a 24/7 basis.

West Midlands Police has objected because of the close proximity of other hostels and a likelihood of increased crime levels.

A petition signed by 264 local residents has also been submitted to the council, opposing the development because of the risk of anti-social behaviour and the location of the hostel close to a children’s play area.

The council said it acknowledged the objections and recognised that “the proposed type of use of the application site often raises concern in respect of fear of crime and anti-social behaviour”.

However, it said the proposed use related to the accommodation of vulnerable people who required support and temporary shelter while they tried to resolve personal issues.