There has been something of a heated debate around proposed plans to change the use of an apartment block building on Cheapside into a tourist hostel. Some feel that an influx of tourists and possible amenities with them could be beneficial to Digbeth, whilst some residents feel it will create extra noise, traffic and trouble from visitors with no real affinity with the area. There also seems to be some speculation that, should the tourist hostel enterprise fail, it may then be used as temporary/emergency accommodation, although what the basis for this speculation is remains unclear.
Following yesterday’s Digbeth Residents’ Association meeting, the above template letter has been circulated to local residents with an email urging them to send it to Birmingham City Council Planning Department by tomorrow’s deadline for responses to the proposal.
