Green light for Birmingham’s regeneration of Druids Heath comes with 51% affordable commitment

The planning application also contains proposals for the development of homes for sale, and homes to be designed for people later in life. 

The approval comes after the council chose house builder Lovell as the developer for its £1bn rebuild of Druids Heath.

Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness at Birmingham City Council, said: “This scheme will deliver 51% affordable housing, amounting to nearly 1,800 homes, and I am committed to that.

“All of the existing council tenants on the estate and those who have already decanted will be provided for. We committed to this publicly and this is still our promise. This promise also forms part of our legally binding agreement with the developer.

“The planning decision will deliver the first social rented homes, with the remainder to be delivered through the partnership agreement. Both these processes carry equal weight; the scheme will not go ahead without those remaining affordable homes being delivered through the partnership agreement. The result will be a net increase in affordable homes in Druids Heath, there is no loss.

“I recognise the passion and concerns that many people feel around this regeneration. However, the plan to regenerate Druids Heath is something we have been working with the community for more than two years.

“Discussions have been had with more than 1,000 residents, of which 68% supported the scheme. This regeneration will make a significant contribution to our goal of building an additional 51,100 homes by 2031, as well as being able to provide for a variety of housing needs.”

Ms Brennan reiterated the council’s commitment to ensuring everyone in Druids Heath who wants to keep living on the estate can do so.

She added: “We have also promised to make sure existing homeowners aren’t priced out of the estate, [and] a shared equity model and early acquisitions programme will support this aspiration.

“Now the planning application has been approved, work can progress to release additional funding from Homes England that will provide the social homes needed on the estate. All of the existing council tenants on the estate will be provided for.”