173-175 Soho Road, Birmingham, B21 9SU

Planning appeal 3356275 at 173-175 Soho Road, Birmingham, B21 9SU (Birmingham City Council) was allowed on 20 March 2025 by Inspector Rawle S, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether or not the proposal would create a safe environment that promotes positive social interaction with particular regard to the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.

for a change of use of the ground and first floor from a retail unit (Class E) to an adult gaming centre (Sui Generis) with first floor associated storage and staff area including external alterations and associated works

Authority: Birmingham City Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Hearing
Development: leisure-sport · Change of use
Inspector: Rawle S
Postcode: B21 9SU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether or not the proposal would create a safe environment that promotes positive social interaction with particular regard to the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour

What decided it

There was insufficient evidence that the proposed adult gaming centre would result in an actual increase in crime or anti-social behaviour, so fear of crime concerns carried insufficient weight to justify dismissing the appeal.

the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour concerns were found to carry insufficient weight to outweigh the Inspector's conclusion that the proposal would create a safe environment, and the appeal was allowed

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy TP24Policy PG3
Judgments: Smith v FSS [2006] JPL 386

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.