How forgotten Birmingham estate Druids Heath could be transformed with 3,500 new homes built

The city council says the huge project would provide affordable and good quality homes; maximise green spaces and deliver infrastructure that will “ensure a sustainable community for years to come”.

Around 1,800 homes could be demolished to make way for around 3,500 new ones, made to be more energy efficient. This all means the estate, which recently featured in the Steven Knight drama This Town, could be changed beyond recognition over the next two decades or so.

Councillor Jayne Francis, the council’s cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said the masterplan marks the beginning of a “new chapter” for the regeneration of Druids Heath.

“This regeneration will build the types of homes we need to tackle climate change, reduce fuel bills, and contribute to the city’s net zero ambitions,” she said. “The plans take advantage of the estate’s key strengths – community spirit and abundance of green space – to make a healthier, more sustainable place to live.”

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However, the regeneration plans have sparked concern alongside optimism for the area’s future.

At a council meeting this year, Druids Heath councillor Julien Pritchard said there was a general feeling of the area “not being looked after” and questioned whether it would be supported in the meantime.

“If you speak to anyone in Druids Heath, one of the things residents will say is that it’s a forgotten estate,” he said. “One aspect is this idea of the meanwhile – what is done to invest in the estate in the meantime?

“That is a big concern because I’m already hearing from residents that the estate is being run-down even more because it’s now being demolished.”

Peni Whelan, a resident of Druids Heath and station manager at Hope Radio, expressed similar worries earlier this year, saying: “They have promised us in the meantime that they will look after us but we need to make sure they do that”.

Coun Francis acknowledged that regenerating an area is “always a lengthy process”.

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“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,” she said.

Paul Langford, strategic director for city housing, also said recently that the council was looking to have a local presence on the estate during the regeneration period.

‘Beauty of Druids Heath’

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service earlier this year, Peni Whelan praised Druids Heath’s community spirit by saying: “I can walk from my place to the shop and talk to five different people along the way.

“My friends and some of my family live here. You can’t wipe out the connection between the people – it’s like an invisible web that’s there. That’s the beauty of Druids Heath.”

Coun Pritchard agreed, adding: “There’s some great organisations doing brilliant work and groups supporting residents and working to make the area better. We just need the council to care the way the community does.”

Coun Francis said that Druids Heath residents have been vital to ensuring the plan delivers for the area.

“The most common comment was that the timescales for the plan were too long, so we have changed the plans to deliver faster,” she said.

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She went on to say: “Regenerations affect people’s homes and can be a significant cause of distress for residents. To help, we will appoint independent advisors to advise homeowners throughout the process to ensure our residents feel supported and informed. We will also hold regular in-person drop-in sessions for people to ask any questions.”

She added that the city council also understands residents’ concerns about being priced out of the area.

“For this reason, the council is looking at how we can use different financial models to give residents an opportunity to remain on the estate,” she said. “We will let residents know more about these models as soon as we are able. It is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so.”

Druids Heath residents were given the opportunity to see the final masterplan at an event at Manningford Hall on December 3, with more planned over the next few days.

The council has said it will submit the plans for planning approval next year.