The decision was taken after consulting Ideal Village residents, who said they were unhappy about the restrictions.

But the ban was reinstated five years later when the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition took control at the city council.

Coun Douglas Osborn said it was clear that families who had moved into Bordesley Green “brought their own values on property ownership which conflicted with the community standards that would have kept the character of the area”. He added: “We must now admit that the erosion of that character is so far gone that it would be unrecognisable to the original architects.”

Unauthorised changes include the demolition of garden walls and the installation of modern front doors.

Attempts to crack down after 2004 saw legal action being taken against 50 occupants in the area for altering their homes without permission.