Birmingham's planning committee has praised the developer of the city's old Central Fire Station for the way it responded to strident criticism two years ago.

Watkins Jones is converting the 1930s former fire station at Lancaster Circus into student accommodation and initially wanted to put a 26-storey tower block in the listed building's internal courtyard.

But there was strong resistance from conservationists and a refusal from the planning committee two years ago, meaning the developer was forced to scale down the tower to a six-storey block which will not be seen above the historic frontage.

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Now Watkins Jones has amended its plans further to cram another 22 student bedrooms in by removing proposed shops from behind the fire engine doors fronting Lancaster Circus and replacing them with student rooms.

This revision was warmly welcomed by the council's planning committee.

Committee member Barry Henley (Lab Brandwood) said that, every time the council or conservation panel had complained about the design, "the developer has taken that on board" and come up with a better design.

"And in this case they have come up with a good compromise and, as a result, we get to keep the bright red doors which are a key part of the station," he added.

The planning committee has been keen to ensure that the view of the station and its clock tower from Corporation Street is not spoiled.

His colleague Peter Douglas Osborn (Con Weoley) also welcomed the alterations, saying they justified the decision to protect the landmark building.

He added: "I got the building listed in the first place, which wasn't popular as I got yelled at by the former chairman of the fire authority who wanted to knock it down."