Birmingham planners slam Davis Weatherill's Morrisons design

The local practice designed a two-storey building for the site of the former Edgbaston Shopping Centre, as well as five retail units and a car park.

But Birmingham City Council planners described the proposal as “awful”, and have deferred a decision to allow the architects to work up an alternative scheme.

Councillor Bob Beauchamp said the design was “a pretty poor show” for a site that acts as a gateway to the city.

He added: “It is just awful in comparison with the buildings that surround it and is a substandard design as far as I am concerned.”

Committee vice-chairman Paula Smith said: “This might be good enough elsewhere but in this position we need something that is outstanding. This is far from outstanding.”