Green light for Edgbaston apartments following successful planning appeal

Permission has been granted for the development of four new apartments in Edgbaston, Birmingham, following a successful appeal from our socio-economics team.

Plans to convert a five-bed house at 61 Portland Road into four one-bedroom flats, including a two-storey rear extension, were originally refused by Birmingham City Council over concerns that the change would lead to the loss of a family home in the area.

As part of the appeal, our in-house socio-economics team submitted a detailed housing needs assessment of the Edgbaston sub-area of Birmingham and bespoke, robust evidence to demonstrate growing local demand for smaller homes. The Planning Inspectorate agreed, granting planning permission in June 2025.

Sachin Parmar, planning director, said: “We are pleased the Planning Inspectorate has taken a clear and balanced view of the scheme, recognising both the quality of the proposed homes and the growing need for more one-bedroom properties in the area.

“While it is frustrating the applicant had to go through the appeal process for a well-designed and policy-compliant scheme, we were determined to secure a positive outcome by presenting clear evidence of local housing need and aligning the project with the council’s wider strategic aims. We worked in partnership with our in-house socio-economics team who were able to provide this bespoke evidence, which proved crucial.

“This case highlights how careful planning, detailed local research and clear communication with decision-makers can overcome initial setbacks. The development will help meet local housing demand and bring a tired property back into meaningful use.”

The approved development will see the five-bedroom property – currently served by one bathroom and proving difficult to sell – transformed into four self-contained one-bedroom apartments, each with a separate lounge, kitchen-diner, bedroom and bathroom. A two-storey rear extension will also be built to ensure the new homes meet national space standards.

During the appeal, our team highlighted that the existing property is no longer suitable for modern family living and the housing need evidence proved that despite there being a need for family housing across the city area, there is a rising demand for smaller, more affordable homes in the Edgbaston sub-area – particularly for young professionals and smaller households.

The Planning Inspectorate agreed the conversion would not harm the existing housing mix in the area and would support the council’s goal of creating more sustainable and balanced communities. The Inspector also noted that the project makes efficient use of a previously developed site without negatively impacting the local character.

Dan Usher, economic director, said: “In this case, although Birmingham City Council has policies aimed at retaining family-sized homes across the wider area, our detailed research showed that the Edgbaston sub-area has a different housing need, with growing demand for smaller, more affordable homes. That kind of local insight is vital in helping councils make balanced decisions that reflect real community needs, not just broad policy targets.

“By combining technical expertise and tailored housing need assessments with planning strategy in-house, we can ensure projects like this are supported by evidence that stands up at appeal and delivers sustainable, well-targeted housing solutions.”

The new homes are located within a short distance of Birmingham city centre, offering good access to public transport, employment opportunities and local amenities – making the scheme a strong example of sustainable urban living.