PLANS to rebuild a 19th century manor house destroyed by fire and surround it with new housing are set to approved.

Northfield Manor House, in Bristol Road South, was once home to the Cadbury family but was demolished after falling victim to an arson attack in 2014.

Owner, the University of Birmingham and developer Crest Nicholson were under no obligation to restore the 1820 built house as it only had an advisory local historic listing.

But it is to be recreated as a block of 21 apartments at the centre of a development of 138 houses and flats.

The redevelopment would also mean the demolition of two smaller old buildings - a half-timber lodge and a 19th century workers cottage on the site to make way for the new housing.

According to a report to next week’s planning committee the city council’s conservation officer “considers it is ironic that these are to be demolished and the already lost Manor House recreated.”

But the report notes that while the remaining old buildings are attractive, they are also in poor condition, have no legal protection and therefore demolition should be approved.

The developer has agreed to pay £95,000 towards playground improvements at nearby Manor Farm Park and £50,000 towards affordable housing off-site as well as providing 20 affordable properties in the new estate.

THe report also highlights concerns raised by the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust over the impact on a known badger sett, but the developer has agreed to seek a Natural England badger licence to relocate the colony to an artificial sett on nearby woodland.

The arson attack in summer 2014 left Northfield Manor House in ruins. And despite calls to restore the building the University of Birmingham instead had what was left demolished on safety grounds sparking condemnation from conservationists.

History of Northfield Manor House

Northfield Manor House, once home to George Cadbury, before it was ravaged by fire
Northfield Manor House, once home to George Cadbury, before it was ravaged by fire

Development on the site can be traced by to the mid-1700s.

A history of Northfield Manor House

Manor House, which was built in 1820, provided a home to George and Elizabeth Cadbury until the latter's death in 1951 after which it was sold to the University of Birmingham.

However, the university ceased using the site in 2007 since when it has fallen into a state of disrepair, with the student halls "not suitable for conversion to residential flats" according to a design statement by Hampshire-based HGP Architects.

A statement from the University of Birmingham said: "The university was saddened by the fire which destroyed the building two years ago which occurred at a time when we were waiting for planning approval to sensitively convert the building into flats.

"Following the fire, we revived the planning application and included provision for rebuilding Manor House as part of the overall scheme.

"The university has maintained its commitment to mirroring the external appearance of the original Manor House which was bought from the Cadbury family and used as a student residence until 2007 and rejected the option to rebuild in a more modern style."