Plan to demolish former Police station set for approval

A scheme to build 50 houses and apartments on the site of a former Birmingham Police headquarters has been tipped to go ahead by city council planners this week.

The former station on Rose Road in Harbourne has sat vacant since 2024, closed down as part of West Midlands Police plans to shrink its estate which saw around 30 stations close for good.

Now, the building is set to be razed to make way for two apartment blocks and a row of town houses as part of an application put forward by Spitfire Homes, recommended for approval ahead of a planning committee meeting next Thursday, 19 February.

Under the affordable housing component for the 70,000 sq ft site, three houses on the development would be provided as “First Homes” with a minimum 30% discount, set to be included in a Section 106 agreement for the scheme.

A public open space contribution of £157,275 is also set to be included in the agreement, should the scheme be approved by the city council’s planning committee.

“The use of red brickwork reflects the local vernacular and traditional character, ensuring the development would integrate well with its context,” said a report from council planners.

“While there is a shortfall in the separation distance between the frontage buildings and opposing houses on the east of Rose Road, the impact of this would be minor and precedented.

“As such, these factors fall significantly short of the ‘substantial’ harm required to justify refusal of this application to develop suitable brownfield land. The planning balance associated with this proposal therefore leans heavily in favour of approval.”

The application will be decided by a meeting of Birmingham City Council’s planning committee on Thursday, 19 February.

Glancy Nicholls Architects have created designs for the scheme.

Plans and documents associated with the application can be viewed on the city council’s planning portal, using reference: 2025/04325/PA