Birmingham City Council has recommended approval for a bed and breakfast at The Green in Kings Norton, despite objections from local MP Laurence Turner over parking concerns. The plans, which seek a change of use to a nine-room B&B with café, will be discussed by the planning committee on Thursday, August 13.
Proposed Development and Objections
The application, lodged by the owners of the existing café at The Green, proposes internal alterations to create additional bedrooms while retaining the ground-floor café. The B&B would operate with structured check-in and check-out times, with check-in from 3pm and check-out at 10am, according to the council report.
Laurence Turner, MP for Birmingham Northfield, raised concerns about the potential impact on parking in the area. Carmel Corrigan, a former councillor for King's Norton North, also expressed worries about the exacerbation of local parking issues and suggested that bedroom one could be too small at 8.4 square metres.
Council Response to Concerns
In a report addressing these concerns, a council officer noted that the proposed use would require five parking spaces, while four are illustrated in the plans. The officer argued that even if parking demand spills onto the street, customers are unlikely to park illegally due to the length of overnight stays. The timing of check-in and check-out was also highlighted as a mitigating factor, as parking pressure on The Green eases after 3pm when daytime businesses close.
On the size of bedroom one, the officer stated: "While there are no minimum space standards for bed and breakfast rooms, the allocated 8.4sqm is considered sufficient. This is a private commercial matter for the operators of the bed and breakfast rather than for the planning system, which is predominantly concerned with land use in the public interest. Refusal on this basis could not be sustained."
Addressing HMO Concerns
The report also responded to concerns from third parties that the site might be used as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) or temporary accommodation. The applicant stated that the intended use is short-stay accommodation, similar to a small hotel, with active on-site management. The officer noted that the layout, which requires passing through the café to reach first-floor rooms, is "more indicative of a bed and breakfast than temporary accommodation" and would not be conducive to HMO use. No evidence was submitted to contradict the applicant's claims, and a further planning application would be required for any change to HMO or temporary accommodation.
Economic and Heritage Benefits
The council officer recommended approval, citing a "positive impact" on the visitor economy and an increase in overnight stays. The report concluded: "The proposed bed and breakfast would improve the viability of the existing use, helping to secure the long-term use of this historic building in a Conservation Area and prevent its disuse. Other economic benefits include the jobs provided throughout the construction phase of development and the two additional hospitality jobs during the bed and breakfast's operation."
The officer also noted neutral factors, including no harm to visual amenity, residential amenity, the local highways network, trees, or ecology. "Giving due regard to each of these considerations, the application weighs heavily in favour of approval," they added.
Decision Pending
The plans will be considered by Birmingham's planning committee on Thursday, August 13. If approved, the B&B would join the existing café in the historic building at The Green, enhancing the area's tourism appeal while addressing local concerns through managed parking and operational hours.
