Student accommodation scheme on hold due to security concerns
PLANS for a new student accommodation block in Birmingham have been put on hold after concerns its tenants could snoop on activities taking place in an adjoining police station.
Uncles Properties wants to demolish part of the Grade II-listed Brandauer Works fronting Bridge Street West in Newtown and renovate the remainder of the building fronting New John Street West to create the new residential scheme.
However, West Midlands Police has objected to the proposals claiming the development poses security risks for the adjoining Newtown Police Station, a 24/7 facility.
The force said there was a risk students could look directly into the police station and its yard, seeing prisoners being brought into the building.
Case Officer John Davies said in his report to the city’s planning committee that the design of the building had been amended to try and prevent such occurrences.
He said: “The previous proposal included five storeys of side-facing windows overlooking the police station and yard to the rear while the amendments have reduced this impact by splitting the block into four-storey and six-storey elements.
“The only side facing windows are now in the six-storey block and are recessed with an oblique glazing system to prevent direct overlooking and minimise any views into the police station or its car park. The glazing would be non-opening and provide acoustic attenuation to address any noise that may be generated by the 24-hour operation of the police station.”
He added: “I do not consider the proposal as amended would blight any future development of the police station site and any overshadowing to the yard or police station would be minimal due to the orientation of the proposed new build to the west of the station with any overshadowing likely to be restricted to late afternoon/evening and not to a degree as to warrant refusal of planning permission.”
However, councillors on the committee agreed to the plans being deferred so that further inquiries could be carried out to see if further revisions were warranted.
