Campaigners fighting against the opening of a new upmarket eaterie in Edgbaston claimed victory yesterday after planners said they expected to give it the thumbs down.

Landowners Calthorpe Estates submitted an application to turn 7 Church Road into a bar and restaurant, sparking fury amongst residents, who claimed the creation of a restaurant would fly in the face of the residential character of the area and breach the provisions of the Edgbaston Conservation Area.

Yesterday at a meeting of Birmingham's Planning Committee planners deferred their decision on the matter, but said they were minded to refuse the application.

Councillors on the planning committee received 36 letters from residents objecting to the scheme, who claimed it was a "deliberate erosion of the conservation area", without regard to their opinions.

Planning officers originally recommended the scheme for approval.

John Raine-Smith, one of the residents who led the campaign, said all the residents would be delighted by the news.

"I regard this as a total victory and I'm very pleased about it," he said. "There was some very strong feeling against this scheme and it is a very positive outcome."

The new restaurant was due to be situation just yards from Simpsons - Birmingham's only Michelin-starred eaterie.

Coun Deirdre Alden (Con Edgbaston) said it was a victory for Edgbaston.

"Church Road is a very nice residential area and a conservation area and it is important for everyone that the commercial part of Edgbaston does not encroach on it," said Coun Alden.

"There are 1,200 people who live on Church Road, and that's not including the residents of the new Sunrise development. It is very clearly a residential area and it looks very hopeful that the decision on this application will recognise that."

emma_pinch@mrn.co.uk

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