- Decision
- allowed, 9 September 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: C Billings
- Authority
- Birmingham (West Midlands)
- Appeal reference
- 6009069
- Application reference
- 2025/05037/PA
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Modular self-service launderette pod in grounds of B&B hotel
- Site context
- conservation area, inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- August 2026 NPPF
- Determinative policies
- P5
- Development plan policies
- Birmingham Development Plan 2017 PG3
- Main issues
- crime and fear of crime
Summary
A self-service launderette pod behind a wall in hotel grounds on Hagley Road was allowed. Natural surveillance and conditioned security measures dealt with the crime concerns. There was no conservation-area harm, and noise was controlled by operating hours.
What made the difference
The police evidence was generic: high area crime rates but no incidents at the existing facility. Surveillance from the B&B reception and windows was judged enough, so conditions could make the scheme acceptable.
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| P5 | pass | code mapped by harvester — natural surveillance from B&B reception and windows plus busy road; cashless payment, lighting and CCTV by condition (DL 4-8) | |
| HE9 | pass | code mapped by harvester — pod hidden behind wall in St Augustine's Edgbaston CA; "no effect on the significance" (DL 9-10) | |
| P3 | pass | code mapped by harvester — noise controlled by 07:00-23:00 hours condition (DL 11, 14) |
Key facts
- Design Out Crime Officer cited high area crime but no incidents at the existing launderette being replaced (DL 6)
- Letter says the revised Framework was "published on the 16 August 2026" (drafting slip); parties consulted (DL 2)
Sources
This note is one of the decisions behind the NPPF 2026 Navigator, which shows how each Framework test has been applied across all the decisions in the database. Also available as Markdown.