Perry Barr residential regeneration wins RICS 2022 award & is set to deliver 5,000 homes in Birmingham

The Perry Barr regeneration project has been named the Residential Project of the year at the 2022 RICS awards).

As part of the project, Perry Barr has seen notable changes since 2020 due to investment of more than £700 million into the area. The changes include the delivery of new homes, improvements to public transport, walking and cycling routes, new community facilities and public spaces.

The north Birmingham constituency also attracted visitors from all across the world after hosting the Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies at the Alexander Stadium in the summer.

The RICS awards, which were announed at a ceremony on Friday (October 1) showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments across the country in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

Nominated by the council along with project partners Arcadis and Lendlease, the scheme will deliver 1,400 homes in the town in its first phase as part of a wider programme to deliver 5,000 new homes in the area over the next two decades. The project has also managed to overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19 by providing jobs, training and apprenticeships.

Next steps in scheme

The neighbourhood has come a long way since its origins as a village in 1850, with a train first running from there in 1837 and the Alexander Stadium being built in 1976.

Birmingham City Council recently held a consultation with residents to decide on the next steps towards agreeing a regeneration framework for Perry Barr’s future - with plans to build on the Commonwealth Games as a catalyst for change, to secure a legacy for all at the heart of the strategy.

Here are the six key proposals in the plans from Birmingham City Council for the next steps of the plan

• Introduce new homes and strengthen the town centre
• Prioritise parks, waterways, allotments, and public spaces to create a joined-up green network which supports wellbeing and access to nature;
• Celebrate the area’s cultural, sporting, and historic identity and provide the conditions for this to continue to thrive;
• Help Perry Barr become the best-connected suburb in Birmingham, with active and sustainable travel choices becoming the norm for residents and visitors;
• Embrace the scale of opportunity to deliver ambitious change which reflects the area’s role at the heart of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and realises long-term benefits for all;
• Contribute to Birmingham being carbon neutral by 2030.

What did the RICS judges say about the project?

The judges said: “This project has showcased a massive and important regeneration scheme to the city delivered by a very professional team working in collaboration with many partners within a tight timescale.”

Anna Evans, Lendlease’s Project Director for the Perry Barr Residential Scheme, said: “This award is tremendous recognition for the efforts of every single member of the team working at Perry Barr.

“It’s a project that will deliver thousands of high-quality new homes and have a lasting impact on the area for generations to come.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, added: “It is vital that investment and growth in Birmingham has a benefit for people in all parts of the city. The regeneration of Perry Barr presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the council to help shape a better future for one of our suburbs that has long required investment.

“The improvements and transformation over the last few years have been stunning and it is fantastic that the development industry is recognising the hard work and effort of everyone that has been involved so far on this project that is crucial to the Birmingham’s future prosperity. This award will no doubt give the local residents of Perry Barr more to be proud of as a place to live, work and do business.”

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