Major masterplan unveiled for Birmingham estate
Birmingham City Council has revealed an ambitious masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community.
It’s been created following two years of work with the community, to shape the redevelopment of the estate over the next 20 years.
Tower blocks alongside 1,800 homes could make way for 3,000 eco-friendly family homes, apartments and retirement living.
New shops and flexible workspaces would be added along the high street, a community hub would be developed and the existing GP surgery would be expanded. Plans also feature sports pitches and a pavilion, as well as a greenway loop around the estate for walking and cycling.
An extensive consultation on the plans will begin in the coming months before approval for the plans will be sought next year. The first phases are likely to be completed within the next five to ten years once plans are submitted and approved.
Since Druids Heath was built by the council in the 1960s, most of it has been left the same, and it is the only large municipal estate in Birmingham that has received no major regeneration investment.
In its presentation at the launch event at Manningford Hall, the council admitted that “many of the Council properties on the estate don’t meet legal standards and aren’t considered financially viable for investment.”
Cllr Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said that the council understood residents’ concerns about being priced out of the area and would be looking at different financial models to give residents an opportunity to remain on the estate. She said that “it is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so.
“Regenerating an area is always a lengthy process. For this reason, the council will bolster services for tenants on the estate by installing more CCTV, implementing a specific repairs service for Druids Heath, and increasing cleaning provision to tackle fly-tipping.”
Cllr Francis said: “The masterplan marks the beginning of a new chapter for the regeneration of Druids Heath. This new plan shows how Druids Heath will be transformed into a healthier, more sustainable area by building on its key strengths – community spirit and abundance of green space.
“This regeneration scheme will build the types of homes we need to tackle climate change, reduce fuel bills, and contribute to the city’s net zero ambitions. It will also bring much-needed provisions for older residents so they can live healthy, independent lives for longer. New greenways will be built to better connect the estate within the community and the estate to the surrounding city.
“The scheme goes beyond delivering new homes; the regeneration will create a sustainable, healthy community that will allow anyone who lives there to thrive.
“While the masterplan is a big step forward for the scheme, much more work remains, and there will be more decisions to be made with the local community about the scheme. With that in mind, an independent steering group representing residents, stakeholders, and businesses is being established to help influence future decisions regarding the regeneration.”
