# 257 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham

- **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
- **Tags:** tier-2, parties-consulted-on-2026-framework, drafting-slip, crime-fear-of-crime, conservation-area

## 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
- **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
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6009069
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/7985f032-1ad8-44be-8365-44d73db832a6

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6009069.html

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