Go-ahead for Birmingham’s £1bn Druids Heath reboot
Birmingham City Council says the majority of a planned 3,500-home development in the city will be given over to affordable housing, after regeneration proposals were given the green light during a heated planning meeting.
A discussion over the scheme for up to 3,500 new homes and up to 86,000 sq ft of commercial development in Druids Heath, around six miles south of the city centre, was briefly suspended due to protests from the public gallery.
The city council’s cabinet approved regeneration plans for the 187-acre estate, which it says is the only large municipal estate in Birmingham that has received no major regeneration investment, in 2018.
The council says it’s committed to building 1,785 affordable homes as part of the regeneration of the area, representing 51% of homes on the development, adding that the scheme would make a “significant” contribution to a council target of of building an additional 51,100 homes in the city by 2031.
Last month, Lovell were named as the preferred developer for the £1bn scheme, with the firm expected to finalise a partnership agreement with the city council next spring.
A total of 400 homes will be built as social rented homes, with the remaining affordable housing set to be delivered through a partnership agreement with the developer and Homes England.
Councillor Nicky Brennan, the council’s cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said the regeneration would result in a net increase in affordable housing on the estate.
“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,” she said.
“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.
“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.”
Planning documents prepared by consultants Newmark said the development would bring forward “a package of significant social, economic and environmental benefits,” and provide “much needed high-quality homes for the residents of Druids Heath”.
Documents and plans relating to the proposals can be viewed on Birmingham City Council’s planning portal, using reference 2025/01204/PA
