Birmingham City Council has prepared a Conservation Area Appraisal and Supplementary Planning Policies for Digbeth, Deritend and Bordesley High Streets (Digbeth/Deritend) Conservation Area. The final document was adopted on 20th March 2009 and now forms part of the Local Development Framework.

Digbeth, Deritend and Bordesley High Streets (Digbeth/Deritend) Conservation Area was designated in May 2000. It lies to the east of the city centre. The conservation area contains the most significant remnants of mediaeval settlement in Birmingham including the fifteenth century Guildhall of St John (now the Old Crown public house). These early townscape elements are of considerable significance in the history of Birmingham’s development and were of particular importance in the designation of the area.

The conservation area also derives significance from its survival as an inner city industrial quarter with a good range of industrial and commercial buildings dating from the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century.

Aims and Intentions of the Character Appraisal and Supplementary Planning Policies

The character appraisal identifies the special interest of Digbeth, Deritend and Bordesley High Streets (Digbeth/Deritend) Conservation Area and provides a definition of its character. It describes the history of the area’s development and identifies its characteristic building types and architectural styles, its streetscapes, views, open spaces and local and national significance. The appraisal also briefly outlines the economy of the area and lists the factors leading to loss and erosion of its special character.

The supplementary planning policies provide the framework for the preservation and enhancement of Digbeth, Deritend and Bordesley High Streets (Digbeth/Deritend) Conservation Area as defined in the appraisal. They are intended to guide and manage change through the promotion of good new design which responds positively to historic context.

The conservation area character appraisal and the supplementary planning policies are written according to guidelines produced by English Heritage and the Planning Advisory Service in August 2005.

The Supplementary Planning Document

Supporting Documents

The adopted SPD is also available for inspection in the Reception area on the 9th Floor of Alpha Tower.