Birmingham regeneration scheme moves a stage nearer

A REGENERATION scheme for a Birmingham suburb is moving a stage nearer under new plans being considered by the city council.

The local authority is set to give the go-ahead for the development of a plan to identify the investment required to regenerate Druids Heath.

The funding will come from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), rather than Birmingham City Council, but the proposed Druids Heath Investment Options Strategy aims to identify the priorities for the estate and how these will be addressed by the funding.

Cllr Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, transport and the economy, said: “Druids Heath has remained largely unchanged since it was developed in the 1960s, based around a Radburn-style layout with substantial areas of open space which are not being used to their full potential.

“It remains the only large municipal estate in Birmingham which has received no major regeneration and is an area which represents a significant housing market and regeneration opportunity. This is why there is a need for a strategy to identify the priorities for the area and the level of investment required to address these and, ultimately, transform Druids Heath into a high quality and sustainable environment for the communities who live there.”

Cllr John Cotton, cabinet member for neighbourhood management and homes, said the council was all too aware that homes built in the 1960s were in most cases, no longer suitable for the needs and aspirations of families in modern-day Birmingham.

“This strategy is about looking closely at the needs of Druids Heath and ensuring we address these in the most effective way, delivering the homes and neighbourhoods that people want and aspire to. I am pleased that we are now able to set the ball rolling,” he said.

Cabinet will consider the proposals when it meets on Tuesday.

A further report will go before cabinet at a future date, asking for approval on the preferred options for the eventual strategy.