Granton is a former doctors surgery on Middleton Hall Road which was constructed I believe in the middle of the 19th century as a private residence and then was converted to a surgery in early 1900s in the Arts and Crafts style designed by Birmingham architects Newton and Cheatle. It became a surgery in 1905 and has continued to be so used until, March 2021 when the practice was merged with two other practices and resisted to a new build health centre on the Bristol Road. Granton was purchased by a company operating private cosmetic surgery clinics indicating that they wished to continue to use it for that purpose. No planning applications were made for 12 months until a notice of intention to demolish was posted under a change to planning law introduced in June 2020 which gives permitted development rights to owners of buildings which have been vacant for over six months. The only explanation on the documentation from the owner is that Granton is no longer fit for use as a medical facility and under the new legislation there is no requirement to submit plans for any proposed new building before demolition . It transpires that the new owner not only runs a cosmetic surgery business but also has a property development company!
Many local residents have submitted objections on the Birmingham City Council planning portal and earlier this week the Council posted on the railings outside Granton a Building preservation notice section 3 of the Plannig( Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to the effect that the council believes that the building is of special architectural and historic interest and has asked the Secretary of State for Digital ,Culture, Media and Sport to include the Building in the list of buildings of such interest complied or approved under section1 of the PLBCA Act 1990. This prevents any works on the building for up to six months while the Secretary of State considers the Council’s application but leaves demolition open as a possibility if no listing is approved.
The City’s Conservation Officer has advised us that the more information that can be gathered on the history of Granton the stronger the case that can be put forward and so I have come onto your forum to ask whether anyone has any information on Granton and/ or the development of Middleton Hall Road through the Victorian era and into the Edwardian period to help us to preserve this beautiful building.
Apologies for the length and detail of this post but we feel that the threat to Granton is real and urgent and so any help that can be given will be much appreciated.
Regards
Joe Donovan
Many local residents have submitted objections on the Birmingham City Council planning portal and earlier this week the Council posted on the railings outside Granton a Building preservation notice section 3 of the Plannig( Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to the effect that the council believes that the building is of special architectural and historic interest and has asked the Secretary of State for Digital ,Culture, Media and Sport to include the Building in the list of buildings of such interest complied or approved under section1 of the PLBCA Act 1990. This prevents any works on the building for up to six months while the Secretary of State considers the Council’s application but leaves demolition open as a possibility if no listing is approved.
The City’s Conservation Officer has advised us that the more information that can be gathered on the history of Granton the stronger the case that can be put forward and so I have come onto your forum to ask whether anyone has any information on Granton and/ or the development of Middleton Hall Road through the Victorian era and into the Edwardian period to help us to preserve this beautiful building.
Apologies for the length and detail of this post but we feel that the threat to Granton is real and urgent and so any help that can be given will be much appreciated.
Regards
Joe Donovan
I can't help but I really hope the house can be saved - good luck!
