£700m Perry Barr regeneration - last chance to have your say

Birmingham City Council pledges that the Commonwealth Games is just the start of a new era for Perry Barr
Consultation into Perry Barr Regeneration closes on September 29Consultation into Perry Barr Regeneration closes on September 29
Consultation into Perry Barr Regeneration closes on September 29

Perry Barr is gearing up for the global spotlight as the countdown to the Commonwealth Games gets underway

But the sporting events are just one aspect of a £700m+ masterplan to transform the north Birmingham suburb over the next two decades.

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People have until September 29 to join the consultation about the proposals and register their views to influence the next phase for Perry Barr.

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 says the consultation is the first step 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.

The consultation covers Perry Hall Park, Perry Barr Village, Perry Barr Urban Centre, and Walsall Road Corridor.

CGI of plans for Perry Barr RegenerationCGI of plans for Perry Barr Regeneration
CGI of plans for Perry Barr Regeneration
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Here are the six key proposals in the plans from Birmingham City Council

  • 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.
Perry Barr Regeneration aims to build on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games 2022Perry Barr Regeneration aims to build on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games 2022
Perry Barr Regeneration aims to build on the legacy of the Commonwealth Games 2022

The council says that the Perry Barr Masterplan has been especially designed with three key goals.

These are:

  • To maximise the existing qualities of the area
  • Make best use of the current £700m+ package of major projects being delivered
  • Build on the legacy of Birmingham’s status as Proud Host City for the 2022 Commonwealth Games
Dina Asher-Smith celebrates winning the women’s 100m final during Day One of the Muller British Athletics Championships 2019 at the at Alexander Stadium (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)Dina Asher-Smith celebrates winning the women’s 100m final during Day One of the Muller British Athletics Championships 2019 at the at Alexander Stadium (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
Dina Asher-Smith celebrates winning the women’s 100m final during Day One of the Muller British Athletics Championships 2019 at the at Alexander Stadium (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

The new plans are in addition to the current developments underway which include:

• Construction of the Perry Barr Residential Scheme, with nearly 1000 new homes currently on site

• Redevelopment of Alexander Stadium

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• The A34 Highways Scheme, which includes a redesign of Birchfield Island, the removal of the flyover, extended segregated cycle routes and improved pedestrian facilities

• Renovation of the Perry Barr Rail Station

• An improved bus interchange in front of One Stop

• Commencement of the SPRINT bus service along the A34

• A new secondary school and sixth form

Perry Park is included in the Perry Barr Regeneration plans which looks to maximise use of green spacesPerry Park is included in the Perry Barr Regeneration plans which looks to maximise use of green spaces
Perry Park is included in the Perry Barr Regeneration plans which looks to maximise use of green spaces

Why has Birmingham City Council waited till now to regenerate Perry Barr?

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “For many years there has been a clear need and ambition to unlock the obvious untapped potential of Perry Barr, but we needed the resources to do it.

“Now, our successful Commonwealth Games bid has helped us kickstart a major regeneration project that will transform the lives and life chances of Perry Barr residents for many years to come.

"The Government talks a lot about ‘levelling-up’ but our communities need action now and we’re getting on with the job, working with a range of partners to transform Perry Barr.

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“The projects being delivered thanks to the Games, such as improved public transport, the redeveloped Alexander Stadium and new homes are just the start of things as this Masterplan demonstrates.”

Cllr Ward added: “We’ve already been speaking with local residents and groups ahead of the formal consultation because it is crucial we get this right.

“We now want to hear from as many people as possible during the consultation on what they think about the long-term vision for the area.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Perry Barr and surrounding neighbourhoods, so please get involved and help shape a bold, sustainable, inclusive and ambitious future for this part of Birmingham.”

Who has joined the Perry Barr regeneration consultation so far?

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Stakeholders and local community groups have been widely engaging with the consultation since it launched on July 15.

Groups included local stakeholders and representatives from organisations such as Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM), the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Homes England, Sport England, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, the Canal and River Trust and others.

Alongside the five working groups, discussions have been held with residents’ groups, businesses, landowners, and other organisations in Perry Barr ahead of this consultation.

These included Friends of Alexander Stadium, allotment groups, Friends of Perry Park and Perry Hall Park, sports groups, arts groups, young people, Birchfield Big Local, Perry Barr and Birchfield Ward Forums, and the Birmingham 2022 Accessibility Forum.

Consultation for Perry Barr Regeneration closes on September 29Consultation for Perry Barr Regeneration closes on September 29
Consultation for Perry Barr Regeneration closes on September 29

How do I join the Perry Barr regeneration consultation and what happens next?

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The consultation closes on September 29 so it’s really important to register your interest before then.

It’s so easy to join the consultation and you don’t have to leave your armchair - if you don’t want to. You can find full details of all the plans and a presentation on this link Perry Barr 2040 webpage - just click through all the pages to find out more.

If you already have enough information, then you can

The regeneration plans and opportunities to respond with your views can also be found here Be Heard consultation website.

After the consultation ends, a final version of the Masterplan – supported by a comprehensive Delivery Plan – would then be put to the council’s Cabinet for approval later this year.

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