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Shut police station faces demolition for homes

Alexander BrockLocal Democracy Reporting Service
News imageSpitfire Homes A visualisation of the proposed homes, shows a variety of building types, some as apartments others as terraced townhouses. Trees are shown around the development and, in the foreground there is a road with a number of cars and pedestrians on itSpitfire Homes
A Birmingham City Council report notes "the economic and employment benefits associated with the construction of this major development would be significant"

A police station in Birmingham is set for demolition to make way for new homes if plans recommended for approval get the green light.

Harborne police station in Rose Road was closed in 2023. It was bought by Spitfire Homes, which is seeking planning permission to build a mix of apartments, town houses and a detached house.

A Birmingham City Council report notes the development would make use of a brownfield site, reduce traffic volume in comparison to the site's previous use and bring "ecological enhancements".

When the police station closed, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner said tackling crime in Harborne would remain a "top priority", being served by the nearby Quinton station.

The council report goes on to say: "The economic and employment benefits associated with the construction of this major development would be significant."

It also said the site is around 60 metres north of a Grade II-listed fire station and station cottages, with "intervening uses in between".

News imageGoogle The entrance to Harborne Police station can be seen, with a brick gateway to the left, with West Midlands Police blue lamps on two pillars. Beyond that can be seen trees in a car park where a number of vehicles are parked outside the police station's main entrance.Google
Harborne Police Station closed in 2023, and the city council's report described it as "a large 1980s building without significant architectural merit"

"The existing building, a large 1980s building without significant architectural merit, is considered a broadly negative feature in the listed building's setting," it said.

"In comparison, the proposed development would be smaller in scale and of a higher architectural quality.

"As such, the proposal would not result in harm to the significance of this heritage asset [and] would result in a number of significant public benefits."

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