Solihull councillors have postponed a crucial decision on a controversial outdoor bar and perimeter fence at a historic village pub, opting to visit the site before making a final ruling early next year.
The Planning Saga Continues
The latest chapter in the long-running planning dispute at the Brickmakers Arms in Balsall Common unfolded at a council meeting on December 15. Pub landlord Kevin McKloskey had submitted a revised application for the already-built structures after an initial retrospective bid was refused in March 2025.
The works in question include a two-metre perimeter fence at the front of the Station Road pub, an outdoor bar area in the beer garden, and a large screen on a raised platform. Planning officer Becky Stevens told the committee the new application was largely identical to the first, with the key change being that the fence had been painted black.
Heritage Concerns vs. a 'Thriving' Pub
Council officers maintained their recommendation to refuse permission. They argued the additions were “inappropriate, unsympathetic, incongruous and jarring” and caused serious harm to the character of the area and the setting of the listed building, which dates back to around 1680.
In defence, Mr McKloskey and local councillor Heather Delaney emphasised the pub's revival. “Since the Brickmakers was taken over it has become a thriving pub once again,” said Cllr Delaney. Mr McKloskey added that he took over a “badly run pub” in November 2023 and that their investment had transformed it into a vibrant community hub, supported by 25 letters and no public objections aside from the heritage officer.
Site Visit Ordered Before Final Verdict
Councillors raised questions about the age of the photographs used in the assessment and the visual impact of the black fence. Councillor David Cole successfully called for a deferral to allow for new photos and a site visit.
Councillor Dave Pinwell suggested the landlord use the time to consider how to soften the fence's appearance. “I would encourage Mr McKloskey, if we defer, to spend that opportunity to think about how that might be softened,” he said. The committee chairman, Councillor Bob Grinsell, quipped that members should visit the site – “not the inside of the pub.”
With eight votes in favour, the decision was officially deferred. The fate of the outdoor bar, screen, and fence at the 300-year-old Brickmakers Arms will now be determined in early 2025.
