Apartments plan for former City Hospital gets thumbs up
Plans to convert a historic former Birmingham infirmary into residential accommodation have been approved by city council planners.
The 19th century building once housed the City Hospital’s acute medical unit and X-ray department before services were transferred to Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick in November 2024.
Under proposals put forward by Vistry Group last year, 52 apartments will be built in the former Winston Green hospital, which closed down in 2024, part of a wider masterplan which will see 750 homes built at the 32-acre Dudley Road site.
Vistry signed contracts for the regeneration of the former City Hospital Birmingham with Homes England in January last year. Outline planning permission was granted for the site in 2023, which also includes up to 8,000 sq ft of commercial and community space.
A separate reserved matters application for 698 homes was granted in October.
The scheme for the historic former infirmary building, built in 1850 and once known as the Birmingham Union Workhouse Infirmary, will see original architectural details of the building “retained and enhanced” as part of a redevelopment, which will see a mix of one and two-bedroomed apartments built.
The proposals also include a partial demolition of a number of non-original extensions to the building.
“The masterplan seeks to promote an urban environment taking into consideration the rich industrial heritage of the site, as well as celebrating the Infirmary that is being retained and refurbished into 52 dwellings,” said a design and access statement by IDP, submitted with the proposals.
“It has been at the heart of this project and has formed the southern part of the overall site with the main open space directly accessible from the building.”
Approving the application, a report from the city council’s planning department described the scheme as a “sensitive and high-quality conversion” of a non-designated heritage asset, which would “deliver new living spaces in accordance with the approved outline and reserved matters consent.”
“The proposed change of use would secure the ongoing upkeep of the building and adopts an acceptable design approach. This would make a positive contribution to its long-term maintenance and enhance its setting and the wider area,” the report added.
Dalcour Maclaren provided heritage survey works for the scheme, while Cerda Planning provided consultancy services.
Documents and plans relating to the application can be found on Birmingham City Council’s planning portal using reference: 2025/03713/PA
