On behalf of Wavensmere B16 Limited and our wider consultant design team, we would like to thank you for your feedback in response to our public consultation that took place between the 11th and 28th of July 2025.

Public Consultation FAQ’s

The purpose of this FAQ document is to respond to the specific points raised during the consultation.

Housing Mix

Some responses expressed a preference for larger semi-detached homes (5 to 8 beds) or a retirement village to be provided. Unfortunately, the previously consented scheme for a retirement village is no longer viable in today’s market, so in order to move forward with a deliverable proposal, a new scheme needed to be designed. The housing mix proposed has been carefully chosen to align with the Council’s most recent Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (2022) which recommends that 40% of new market homes in Birmingham should be 3 bedrooms. Only 8% of the currently approved new homes in Birmingham are 3 bedroom which clearly shows that more homes of this size are severely needed locally.

Architecture / Impact on nearby listed buildings

Concerns have been raised in some responses over the proposed scale, massing and design of the proposed houses and the resulting impact upon the character of the surrounding area and upon nearby listed buildings. As shown in the images on the right, the general appearance of the proposed dwellings, particularly those proposed on Clarendon Road and Stirling Road have been completely re-designed since the initial consultation in response to comments received. The proposed scale and massing of the new buildings are within the parameters of the previously consented retirement village scheme, and have been supported by Officers as part of the pre-application process. A heritage assessment has been undertaken which overall considered that the new proposals represent a positive enhancement within the heritage context by reinstating historic grain perimeter plan form. The proposed houses along Clarendon and Stirling Roads now thoughtfully reflect the historical function, scale, urban grain, and architectural rhythms of the 19th century development. As a result, the proposals would result in an enhancement to the setting of the five Grade II Listed Buildings on Clarendon Road.

Highway Safety and Parking Provision

Existing highway safety issues at the northern end of Clarendon Road were highlighted in some responses due to school traffic and commuters as well as concerns over the loss of on-street parking on Striling Road. A Transport Assessment has been undertaken which indicates that the emerging proposals would not result in a severe residual impact on the local highway network. Total vehicular trips from the development during the AM peak (8am to 9am) are 17 arrivals and 37 departures. For the PM peak (5pm to 6pm) 29 arrivals and 16 departures are expected. With regards to the overall traffic from the development 14% is expected to travel via Clarendon Road. In the AM peak (8am to 9am) this amounts to 3 arrivals and 5 departures, while in the PM peak (5pm to 6pm) it is 4 arrivals and 3 departures. While it is acknowledged that the proposals would result in the loss of some on-street parking on Stirling Road, sufficient roadside parking availability still exists in the local highway network.

Property Values

Some individuals raised concerns regarding the impact of the proposals on property values. Whilst this is a subjective matter, this is not a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

Planning Gain

We note the concerns raised in a couple of responses regarding impacts on existing community infrastructure. Our current proposals include the provision of 10% of the proposed homes as affordable housing, which has been tested by an independent chartered surveyor, and will be further tested by the City Council as part of the planning application. However, this contribution could be utilised for other purposes if they are reasonably related to the proposed development, proportionate and justified. The prioritisation of any ‘planning gain’ arising from the development will be determined by the City Council.

Alternative Examples

Some responses cited alternative development examples of what they would like to see come forward on the site. However, these examples relate to very different sites with different planning constraints and circumstances and are not directly comparable to the proposal site. In particular one example cited was the retention and conversion of an existing building within a conservation area. Given that all buildings on the site have been demolished it is not possible to replicate this approach.

Concerns about existing HMO’s – restriction sought

Concerns in relation to existing HMOs in the area are recognised. The proposed dwellings comprise of family housing and individual apartments, and as such will not be utilised as HMO’s.

Sustainability

The queries raised from respondents in relation to the sustainability of the proposals are acknowledged. The proposed development is expected to achieve EPC A for all houses, and EPC B for all apartments, through the use of a range of sustainable features including Air Source Heat Pumps, photo-electric panels (PV) and EV charging points. Further, the proposals are future proofed ahead of the new Future Homes Standard 2025, which is likely to be a regulatory requirement in 2026.

Private Gardens

Concerns have been raised by some individuals over the level of outdoor amenity space proposed for residents. In addition to the proposed residents’ communal gardens, each of the proposed houses benefits from their own private terraces both at ground floor and second floor level off the master bedrooms.

Next Steps

On behalf of Wavensmere B16 Limited, we would like to thank you for your feedback provided in response to our public consultation which has informed our final proposals. Wavensmere B16 Limited have since submitted a full planning application for the proposals to Birmingham City Council (BCC) on 12th August 2025.

To view the submitted application and to make any comments please go to www.birmingham.gov.uk/planningonline and enter the application reference 2025/04544/PA.

Alternatively, comments can be sent via the post to:

Planning and Development
PO Box 28
Birmingham
B1 1TU

Please make sure to quote the application reference in your correspondence to the Council to ensure that it is taken into consideration.