LED screen and outdoor bar at Brickmakers Arms, Balsall Common, Solihull
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Solihull Planning Committee on 11 Feb 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought retrospective consent for an LED screen, raised platform, frontage fencing with planting and an outdoor bar in the beer garden.
“Proposal: Retrospective consent for the erection of LED TV screen on raised platform, 2m high perimeter fencing to frontage with planting and outdoor bar area in existing beer garden.”
Officer report
What officers recommended
Officers recommended refusal because the development harmed the streetscene and listed building’s setting, while its public and economic benefits carried limited weight.
“The development is within the setting of a Grade 2 Listed Building. This report will show that the proposal will cause harm to the streetscene and general character and local distinctiveness of the area, and less than substantial harm at a moderate level to the setting of the heritage asset. This harm is given substantial weight. Balanced against this, only limited weight can be attached to the stated public and economic benefits of the proposal.”
“For the reasons outlined in this Report, the overall planning balance is not in favour of the proposal, and the application is recommended for refusal…”
Officer report
Main planning concerns
The main issues were heritage, streetscene character and neighbouring residential amenity, with highways, landscape and drainage also considered.
“The main issues in this application are the effects of the development:”
“Impact of the development on the setting and significance of a heritage asset • The effect of the development on the appearance of the street scene and character and local distinctiveness of the local area • The effect of the proposal on neighbouring residential amenities…”
Officer report
Consultation and public views
Heritage officers objected, while drainage raised no objection and public protection had no objection subject to conditions; twenty-five responses supported the scheme.
“SMBC Drainage - No objection • SMBC Heritage – Objection • SMBC Public Protection – No objection subject to conditions…”
Officer report
Effects on neighbours
Residents had previously complained about antisocial behaviour, parking and noise, and five noise complaints were received during 2024.
“Issues arising from large attendances at the televised Euros games resulted in the Council receiving complaints from residents concerning antisocial behaviour from those leaving the premises, inconsiderate parking and general noise from the events.”
“Five noise complaints from the Brickmakers Arms have been received in relation to outdoor activities in 2024, the Environmental Health Officer has concerns regarding the erection of a LED TV screen on raised platform in the existing beer garden.”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
The committee granted conditional approval against the officer recommendation, including planting, operating hours, screen restrictions and noise monitoring.
“PL/2025/01628/MINFOT - BRICKMAKERS ARMS Conditional approval, against officer recommendation.”
“Conditions 1. Plan numbers. Details of tree planting to be agreed in writing by the local planning authority and retention throughout the lifetime of the development. Use of the LED screen TV to cease at 2200hours to coincide with the closing of the external bar. Open bar hours of use no service prior to 1100hours and no later than 2200hours. 5.”
Minutes
The members' reasons
The minutes do not record the members' reasons for departing from the officers' recommendation.
Sources
- Solihull Planning Committee minutes, 11 February 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Solihull's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Solihull Planning Committee
- Council
- Solihull
- Date
- Wednesday 11 February 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended refusal
- Committee decided
- Approved, against officer advice
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Solihull committee decisions →
This committee's year
27 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 7 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.