Campaign against Black Sabbath pub car park plan

The owners of a pub described as the birthplace of Black Sabbath have insisted progress is being made on restoration plans amid concern from campaigners.

The Crown on Station Street in Birmingham is known as the venue where the band performed its first gig, but it has been vacant for several years.

New proposals for the neighbouring car park by the Grade II listed pub's owner, Toyoko Inn, have sparked anger among campaigners.

The company, which insists it has plans to restore the pub, is seeking approval from Birmingham City Council to keep using the car park on the site for another three years.

Darren John, from the Save Station Street campaign, argued that granting the application could mean "Toyoko will just twiddle their thumbs for another three years, neglecting The Crown and Station Street despite their promises."

He claimed Toyoko Inn had "repeatedly failed to make any meaningful progress on their development plans".

"We urge the council to reject this application in full and hold the site owners accountable for their long-standing failure to deliver," he wrote.

However, a cover letter included within the application said the proposals for the car park would "enable a stable revenue stream" for Toyoko Inn.

It said this would "assist with bringing forward a planning application for the car park site and the reuse of The Crown as a potential music venue".

The letter said the company was finalising plans for the wider site, which included restoration of The Crown and a new hotel with about 300 beds on the existing car park at the rear of the site.

"The pub is a historically important site, and its new vision will reflect and celebrate this heritage," the letter said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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