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One of Birmingham’s oldest buildings, a former home of the Cadbury family, has been all but demolished sparking outrage from city conservationists and historians.

Demolition crews, working for the University of Birmingham, have pulled down much of the 18th Century Northfield Manor House, claiming it was beyond rescue after being gutted by fire last year.

Coun Peter Douglas Osborn (Cons, Weoley), a member of the council’s conservation and heritage panel, said: “I raised this potential demolition a month ago in the planning committee. It is sad that I have been proven correct.”

He said that too often a decision to remove parts of an old building leads to the rest being reduced to rubble.

“If the University fails to restore this it would demonstrate it is a not a place of learning with cultural values, but an international business,” he added.

Youths started the fire which wrecked the Bristol Road South building last year - but it had been hoped it could be saved and restored.

The building’s owner, the University of Birmingham insists that it has only demolished of parts of the building which are structurally unsound.

Below: Video of the devastating aftermath of the fire

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Local historian Carl Chinn said: “I would urge the university to stop the demolition and consult with local people through community groups and their elected representatives over the future of this building.

“They should take a serious look at how they will restore the building, in partnership with the community.”

The 18th Century Manor House, on Bristol Road South, Northfield was bought by the Cadbury family in 1890 and remained their home until 1953 when the University took it on as a hall of residence. It has been empty since 2007 after the University decided it was too expensive to upgrade.

It is not legally listed with English Heritage, but has an informal grade A status on Birmingham City Council’s local list of historic buildings.

A University spokeswoman said that the latest demolition work was necessary for safety reasons. “Since the fire, we had sought to establish a way of retaining Manor House if at all possible.

“While carrying out this work, it has become clear that much of the property is damaged beyond repair and is in a dangerous state and we have no choice but to take down substantial parts of the structure.”

She added that they would consult the community over the remainder of the building.