Who wants to break the Birmingham Council Planning Objections Record? Toyoko Inns have submitted a planning application to extend their licence to continue running a small car park next to the birthplace of Black Sabbath, The Crown, on Station Street for 3 years. An absolute p-taking of contempt for Birmingham, Brummies & our musical heritage.
Go to: https://eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/GeneralSearch.aspx
Search for Planning Application Number: 2025/00942/PA
Submit an objection!
Extending the planning has previously allowed Toyoko Inns to cover their costs while promising to redevelop The Crown and then do diddly squat. We believe granting this will mean Toyoko will just twiddle their thumbs for another 3 years, neglecting The Crown & Station Street despite their promises (for the umpteenth time).
To object we suggest you use a variation of the following grounds:
This car park has remained in “temporary” use by Toyoko Inns for 11 years, during which time the site owners, Toyoko Inn, have repeatedly failed to make any meaningful progress on their development plans. Granting yet another extension would only serve to enable this pattern of delay and neglect, contrary to the public interest. Previous extensions were made solely on the basis of the proposed Toyoko selling to BOM deal. It was made explicitly clear this was the only reason the extension was granted. Not including this in the application is an attempt to pull the wool over the planning committee eyes.
There is a genuine risk Toyoko Inn will once again fail to deliver on any proposed plans, as they have shown no credible commitment to redevelopment. In fact, it is publicly known that they were actively attempting to sell the site as recently as December 2024, which casts further doubt on their intentions or capacity to follow through on any proposed use of the land. They have simultaneously allowed The Crown to fall into severe disrepair over the 11 years of their ownership; repeatedly ignoring requests to protect and conserve the building that THEY closed!
The continuation of this car park use directly contradicts Birmingham City Council’s active travel, clean air, and climate policies. The city has committed to reducing private car use and promoting sustainable alternatives. Extending car parking provision in this location is a regressive step that undermines those commitments.
Moreover, there is widespread local and institutional opposition to the proposed extension.
Birmingham Open Media (BOM) have been misleadingly name-checked by the applicants, the applicants going as so far as to copy and paste BOM's previous applications for their own attempt to purchase The Crown.
Toyoko Inn have actively campaigned against the heritage listing of The Crown Public House, including submitting an appeal to Historic England to revoke its listed status—an action that calls into question their respect for the city’s cultural heritage.
The car park also continues to:
Contribute to traffic congestion and poor air quality in the city centre. Additionally there are several larger car parks in very near proximity that provide far greater and comprehensive parking options. Losing this car park will make no material difference to Birmingham parking provision.
Diminish the heritage and regeneration potential of this key site.
Occupy valuable urban land that could instead support actual realised development that aligns with Birmingham’s strategic vision.
Urge the council to reject this application in full and hold the site owners accountable for their long-standing failure to deliver and neglect. A clear, enforceable timetable for permanent development should be required, rather than continued short-term extensions that serve no public benefit surrounded by fluffy and vague promises that have been repeatedly broken by the applicant.
Frankly we believe Toyoko Inns are taking the proverbial and Birmingham Council would be foolish to believe their litany of broken promises for the dozenth year running.
Fight Back Brum ✊🏼
Best wishes,
Darren
Save Station Street Campaign