Special honour for Brummie who designed one of UK's 'best places to live'

He was the Birmingham architect behind one of the city's most instantly-recognisable areas. Now, William Alexander Harvey is to be celebrated with a commemorative blue plaque for his work designing one of the 'best places to live' in the country.

When he was just 21, William Alexander Harvey designed the chocolate-box village of Bournville, the model suburb built to house the workers at the nearby Cadbury factory in the south of Birmingham. He would go on to design a number of famous buildings in the West Midlands including Dudley Council House and Grade II listed Selly Manor.

Harvey was born in Birmingham in 1874 and studied at the Municipal School of Art in Birmingham, but historians know 'very little' else about his life. Relatives and anyone with information on his life have been urged to come forward ahead of a commemorative blue plaque ceremony on November 14 at Selly Manor Museum.

READ MORE: Birmingham HS2 diggers unearth mysterious 'roundhouse' with important historical purpose

The plaque is to be unveiled by Birmingham Civic Society and Bournville Village Trust and will go on permanent display at the architect’s former Bournville home.

Daniel Callicott, heritage manager at Bournville Village Trust, said: "George Cadbury appointed William Alexander Harvey to work on the design of houses and community buildings in Bournville when he was just 21, which must have felt like an amazing opportunity for such a young and relatively inexperienced architect.

"The trust and confidence Cadbury put in William Alexander Harvey was well-deserved and he went on to design some of Bournville’s most iconic and recognisable buildings. These include the Rest House that sits in the middle of the Village Green, the Friends Meeting House, a focal point for Christmas celebrations, and Bournville Junior School.

"He also rebuilt Selly Manor Museum and Minworth Greaves, which are now both Grade II* listed and further afield, he designed Dudley Council House and many other municipal buildings. It’s fantastic to see Harvey recognised with a Blue Plaque.

Dr Chris Adamson, trustee and chair of Birmingham Civic Society’s heritage committee, said: "Birmingham Civic Society is delighted to commemorate the life and works of William Alexander Harvey through the commissioning of this plaque.

"Through their contribution to the objectives of George Cadbury’s model village and their embodiment of the Arts and Crafts movement, Harvey’s designs in Bournville reflect a time of fascinating social change in the city as well as representing architectural achievements of national significance.

"The Civic Society is pleased to partner with Bournville Village Trust in recognising W A Harvey, and we hope this plaque will encourage visitors to learn more about his buildings in Bournville, elsewhere in Birmingham, and beyond."