Campaigners fighting to restore the birthplace of Black Sabbath have welcomed a decision by council planners to refuse divisive proposals by the pub’s owners.
Campaigners fighting to restore the birthplace of Black Sabbath have welcomed a decision by council planners to refuse divisive proposals by the pub’s owners.
The Crown in Station Street, known as the pub where the legendary Birmingham band performed their first gig, has been vacant for many years despite its historic importance.
A campaign to ‘save’ the city centre street, launched after the sudden closure of the Electric Cinema last year, has argued the road and its venues are steeped in cultural importance.
Calls to reopen The Crown in particular to celebrate Black Sabbath’s legacy have only intensified after the band’s momentous farewell show and Ozzy Osbourne’s tragic death just days later.
There has now been a wave of optimism among campaigners after controversial plans by the pub’s owner Toyoko Inn were refused by the city council.
The company, which has insisted it has plans to restore the pub, was seeking approval for an extension of the car park use on the site for a three-year period.
But the proposals sparked fresh anger earlier this year, with Darren John, from the Save Station Campaign, arguing in his objection that they would mean “Toyoko will just twiddle their thumbs for another three years, neglecting The Crown and Station Street despite their promises”.
The city council found the plans would be contrary to current policy, saying applications or time extensions for temporary car parks will not be supported “unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated”.
“The applicant has not demonstrated exceptional circumstances,” a council report said.
It continued: “Moreover, a key focus for the city centre is to reduce the need for private car journeys.
“The applicant has not sufficiently justified the necessity of extending the use of this car park, thus the proposal contradicts the council’s public transportation goals.”
The plans were ultimately refused – a decision celebrated by campaigners.
“Time for Toyoko Inns to put forward proper refurbishment plans for The Crown as a pub and music venue right now or sell up,” the Save Station Street campaign said.
“For what it’s worth – we don’t ultimately care who owns the site….if it is run with integrity, for Brummies and with respect to its legacy as one of the UK’s most progressive and historic venues.”
Jez Collins, of the Birmingham Music Archive, added: “It’s heartening to read the planning application for the continued use of the car park behind the historic Grade II listed The Crown was rejected.
“115 objections so thank you all.”
Toyoko Inn has previously said it has plans to not only restore The Crown but also build a new hotel.
A cover letter, included within the recent proposals, said the plans for the car park would have ‘enabled a stable revenue stream’ for the company, which would help with bringing forward a planning application for a major project at the site.
“At the time of writing Toyoko Inn are finalising their plans of the wider site,” the letter said. “It is the intention that the scope of the future project will deliver two connected and coherent elements.”
It continued that they included a new hotel with around 300 beds on the existing car park at the rear of the site and the restoration of The Crown.
“The pub is a historically important site and its new vision will reflect and celebrate this heritage,” the document said.
It argued the proposed scheme would also make an “important contribution” towards the regeneration of Southside District, with the economic impact predicted upwards of £4 million.
On what progress has been made to advance the project, the letter added that Birmingham City Council had committed its support to the project.
“Discussions and expressions of interest are well advanced with funders in respect of the restoration and construction works,” it added.
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