Nine apartments at Blue Bird Administration, Hunnington, Halesowen

What was proposed

The application sought changes to the approved conversion of the Administration building, including internal alterations, four front doorways, a rear wall and new windows.

“Conservation Officer • There is no objection to the principle of the scheme, as there is already a consent for conversion to residential apartments. This scheme looks to improve on the layout of the previous scheme, change the existing windows to a more sympathetic design and more thoughtfully cover the existing rear wall which comprises what was an internal wall to the factory immediately to the rear of the Admininstration building.”

“This application specifically relates to the works to the Administration building and is seeking changes to the approved conversion details. The majority of the changes relate to internal reconfiguration to the proposed layout of the residential units. The fine details of these works will be dealt with under the associated Listed Building Consent application. The external changes which are subject to this application relate to:”

Officer report

The site

The site included a former factory complex, with Grade II listed Administration and Welfare buildings and a listed front boundary wall.

“The site formerly comprised a factory complex largely constructed in the 1920s and 1930s for the Bluebird Toffee company. To the front of the site are the Administration and Welfare buildings which are Grade II listed buildings as well as the wall to the front boundary of the site.”

“Planning permission and Listed Building Consent have previously been granted for the re-development of the site for residential purposes comprising the construction of new dwellings and conversion of the Welfare and Administration buildings. Construction of the new dwellings to replace the factory buildings is well underway with some dwellings already inhabited.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Permission and listed building consent were granted in 2022 for 108 homes, including conversion of the Administration and Welfare buildings.

“Planning permission and listed building consent (19/00592/FUL & 20/01440/LBC) was granted in 2022 to convert the Administration Building and Welfare building to apartments and demolish the remaining buildings to provide housing. • The new houses have now largely been completed and the Welfare Building and Administration have been sold on to new owners.”

“20/01440/LBC Part demolition and site clearance of the former Blue Bird factory site for its redevelopment to provide 108 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), consisting of both new dwellings and conversion of the Welfare and Administration buildings, along with associated landscaping; drainage; engineering; highways and access works.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the principle of residential conversion was established and the proposed works were considered acceptable for the listed building.

“The site already benefits from planning permission to be converted to 9 no. residential units. This application seeks amendments to this application, retaining the number of units at 9no. Having regard to the fallback that the original permission has been implemented and the conversion of the building based on the approved plans could take place, the principle of converting the building to a residential use is acceptable.”

“As noted above the Conservation Officer raises no objection to the principle of the proposed works in relation to the impact on the listed building. Discussions are ongoing relating to the specific details of some of the works which will be dealt with and controlled via the associated Listed Building Consent application (25/00762/LBC). As such it is considered that the proposal accords with the historic environment policies and legislation outlined above.”

Officer report

Consultation and publicity

The Conservation Officer raised no objection in principle, while no public comments were received after neighbour letters, a site notice and a press notice.

“Publicity Neighbour letters sent 22.09.2025 (expired 16.10.2025) Site notice displayed 03.10.2025 (expired 27.10.2025) Press notice published 26.09.2025 (expired 13.10.2025)”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s planning agent addressed the committee in support of the application.

Members’ discussion

Members asked about the listed building consent application and said the building was wonderful but in very poor repair.

“In response to questions from Committee Members, Officers explained that Listed Building Consent application 25/00762/LBC would be considered and determined by Officers.”

“Members who had attended the Site Visit commented that it was a wonderful building, but sadly in a very bad state of repair; and that it was good to see the building being renovated.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

The committee voted to grant planning permission subject to Conditions 1 to 11.

“RESOLVED that Planning Permission be granted, subject to Conditions 1 to 11, as detailed on pages 25 to 27 of the main agenda pack.”

Minutes