One of Birmingham's most desirable suburbs is aiming to transform itself into the 'Ludlow' of the city with award-winning restaurants.

Edgbaston is poised to reposition itself along the likes of the Shropshire town which currently has four restaurants in the Michelin Guide – more than anywhere outside London. Plans for a restaurant with a Michelin-starred chef emerged yesterday at a planning meeting considering the change of use of a Church Road property.

But proposals for the new restaurant yards from Birmingham’s only other Michelin-starred eatery – Simpsons – have been bitterly opposed.

Residents claim it will increase traffic, cause unrest with customers spilling out at night and transform the character of the area.

Simpsons and planning officers have backed plans, which they claim will raise the profile of the local area and Birmingham.

Phil Crabtree, assistant director for planning, said the building had been used as offices and described the neighbourhood as "mixed".

He added: "I see no problems in that the proposed restaurant is not in a residential area."

Richard Dixon, development manager at Calthorpe Estates, said: "I want to reassure people this is not a normal restaurant. We have a Michelin-starred chef who is ready to proceed. It is not part of Simpsons but it is supported by Simpsons. They say it will be an addition."

Resident Michael Joseph, who lives on Carpenter Road said 27 residents had written to the planning committee to object and he feared the project would encourage "the erosion of a residential area".

After the meeting, local councillor Deirdre Alden (Con Edgbaston) said: "It is residential and concerns need to be addressed." Planning committee members deferred the decision.