Today is the last opportunity to submit comments on plans to turn an historic Northfield pub into apartments (Thursday 5th November).
The plans would involve the demolition of a small rear extension – added in the 1970s – and dividing the building in to 13 apartments.
This Grade II listed public house is an important landmark to local residents and has fallen in to a state of disrepair. A video of the interior of the pub earlier this year shocked viewers.
Since, local politicians have rallied to help protect the building.
Cllr Olly Armstrong has liaised with the owner to try and get the building maintained and secured the use of the car park for parents picking up and dropping off at nearby Meadows school. He and volunteers cleaned up the site for use.
MP Gary Sambrook also added his voice, helping to secure an enforcement notice to get the owner to carry out necessary repairs. It is unclear whether any have yet taken place.
Local resident Danielle Parker is keen that the building should be retained for the benefit of the community. She started a petition to show support for making the building an Asset of Community Value, meaning the community would be given time to raise funds to buy the pub and make it for community use.
In an appeal to ask residents to support her petition she wrote: “It is a local landmark that needs to be protected and used for the benefit of all.
“Our community already has such pride memories embedded in the old George Pub and we know what it means to us. Let’s make sure it is somewhere we can all feel proud of once again.“
Cllr Olly Armstrong (Labour, Northfield) said: ““As Northfield ward Cllr I’ve worked hard to seek to protect the gorgeous King George pub building, and to call for it to be used for something that will enhance our community.
“I’ve been in regular conversations with fellow local residents as well as the site owner, and worked hard to get the council to push for legal enforcement for the site to be maintained. I was grateful for the MP joining this fight at the last minute and helping nudge our long-standing work over the line.
“What we don’t want is a building left to rot. What we need is a used, protected, beautiful space.”
Have Your Say
To Have Your Say visit the Birmingham City Council Planning website and enter the application number.
Application Number: 2020/07766/PA
Consent for demolition of single storey rear extension and internal and external alterations in connection with proposed change of use to 13 apartments
Application Number: 2020/07752/PA
Change of use to 13 apartments (Use Class C3) with associated internal and external alterations, including installation of 2 rear dormer windows; demolition of single storey rear extension and rear dormer; and associated car parking and landscaping.
History
King George V Pub
The King George V public house was built in 1935 for Mitchell and Butlers, designed by John Burgess Surman in a Jacobean domestic revival style. Rendered in brick with ashlar plinths, mullion windows, gables and arched doorways, the public house was Grade II listed in 2001 due to its features.
As well as the building’s exterior, the interior still had some interesting original features at the time of listing, especially on the first floor. These include a timber queen-post roof with curved braces and mouldings, wall-panelling, a barrel-vaulted ceiling and original stone fireplaces – one even having a moulded plaster heraldic lion and dog above.
When listed, The King George V was described as: “a good example of a large Birmingham road house.”
The Emerald
After the turn of the millennium, with ‘The George’ no longer a pub, the building was used as as a popular Chinese restaurant, and is still referred to by many as “The Emerald”.
King Khan controversy
Most recently the building was the King Khan’s Indian restaurant, with the owner causing controversy in 2014 after failing to reach an agreement to continue to be home to the King George V Bowling club, which had been based at the site since it was opened in 1937. This affected the popularity of the restaurant and it rebranded as the Old King George Balti House in 2016. However, the building was out of use by the beginning of 2017.
Previous planning applications
Since the restaurant’s closure, owners have submitted three applications for change of use to a care home – all of which were withdrawn before being put before planning committee.
In February last year, submitted plans for a KFC drive thru restaurant were also withdrawn after a KFC outlet opened nearby in Longbridge town centre.
For sale
The 1.17 acre (4,743 sq m) site and buildings was listed freehold for £1.25 million in May 2019, with the price being dropped to £1.15 million in June 2020. It has since been withdrawn from that agent.
Have Your Say
To Have Your Say visit the Birmingham City Council Planning website and enter the application number.
Application Number: 2020/07766/PA
Consent for demolition of single storey rear extension and internal and external alterations in connection with proposed change of use to 13 apartments
Application Number: 2020/07752/PA
Change of use to 13 apartments (Use Class C3) with associated internal and external alterations, including installation of 2 rear dormer windows; demolition of single storey rear extension and rear dormer; and associated car parking and landscaping.