Birmingham City Council's Planning Committee has approved five historic sites for addition to Birmingham's Local Heritage List on 13 August. The sites include The Electric cinema on Station Street, which operated as the UK's oldest working cinema from its opening in 1909 until closure in February 2024.
What the Local Heritage List means
Inclusion on Birmingham's Local Heritage List does not provide the same statutory protection as the National Heritage List for England. However, it means a site's heritage significance becomes a material consideration in any planning decisions that would affect it.
The list currently contains more than 440 entries and recognises buildings and places of particular importance to Birmingham's history, character and identity that do not meet the criteria for national heritage designation.
The five approved sites
The Electric cinema was highlighted for its cultural significance. The four other heritage sites approved for inclusion were not named in the council's announcement.
How sites are nominated
Nominations for new sites to the Local Heritage List can be made by individuals, community groups, amenity societies and council officers. The council's conservation team assesses nominations in consultation with nominators and other interested parties. Conservation officers and the Birmingham Conservation and Heritage Panel then review findings before a final report is considered by Planning Committee.
Councillor Deborah Harries, Cabinet Member for Culture, said the addition of these sites reflects the city's architectural, cultural, social and industrial history.