Mansion restoration pauses as council blocks £3.5m

Former Mayor of Birmingham Joseph Chamberlain lived at Highbury Hall until his death in 1914

Restoration plans for a historic home that once belonged to a prominent politician have been put on hold after Birmingham City Council withdrew a £3.5m grant.

The Chamberlain Highbury Trust estimates the total cost of restoring Joseph Chamberlain's former mansion and grounds would reach about £12m.

Board chair David Kidney, said the council was "presently unable" to provide funding previously agreed, because of its "financial restrictions".

"We know this news will be disheartening to many of our supporters, though we are determined to stay positive and continue with the hard work and momentum," Mr Kidney added.

Joseph Chamberlain, an MP and former mayor of Birmingham, lived at Highbury Hall in Moseley after it was built in 1880, until his death in 1914.

Father of former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, he is credited with building schools, swimming pools and libraries across Birmingham.

Another son, Austin Chamberlain, a former chancellor of the exchequer, established the Highbury Trust to manage the estate, which was passed to city council ownership in 1932.

There is currently no public access to the Grade II-listed mansion and the trust hopes to restore it to become a heritage visitor attraction.

The Highbury Trust hopes to open the home as a visitor attraction

It has secured a conditional offer of £5m from National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to fulfil the scheme and also expects to raise £2m through its own fundraising.

But the NLHF offer is contingent on the council's match funding, Mr Kidney explained.

The remaining £1.5m was due to come from the original Highbury Trust, he added.

"Despite this setback, the Trust is determined to continue serving the community as intended by the Chamberlain family," Mr Kidney said.

He hopes to gain permission from the NLHF to start some garden restoration works, in the hope the council will reinstate the grant he said was approved in April 2023.

The council issued a Section 114 notice last September, declaring itself effectively bankrupt, meaning all non-essential spending was suspended.

The authority has been contacted for a response.

The trust is holding an open day on 15 September at Highbury Hall, as part of Birmingham Heritage Week.