Birmingham residents threaten legal challenge over divisive regeneration scheme

There are major plans to transform Druids Heath through the enormous project, which is set to bring 3,500 new homes, new infrastructure, transport links and more.

But despite a vision of turning the estate into a green oasis, there have been long-running concerns over the potential impact on the community; the levels of demolition and fears existing residents will be priced out of the area.

These tensions boiled over at a council planning meeting in October when the regeneration scheme was narrowly approved, sparking angry outbursts and chants.

And just last week, homeowners in Druids Heath told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they felt they had been left in limbo after learning their houses faced demolition.

“I don’t know what the council is going to offer me but if they try to insult me with a low offer, they will have to drag me out of here,” one resident said.

The Druids Heath and Monyhull Forum (DHMF) has now confirmed today that it has initiated a legal claim to challenge the recently-approved regeneration plan.

The group raises concerns over the impact of the scheme and argue there was a “failure in community engagement in the council’s consultation process”.

DHMF has called on the council to overturn its decision to grant outline planning permission earlier this year and raises the possibility of bringing a judicial review claim if this does not happen.

Rita Patel, chair of DHMF, said: “It isn’t just about regeneration, it’s about saving a community. We’re not just houses, we’re homes.

“We need people to support our legal challenge to stop Birmingham City Council’s mass demolition and demand a plan that puts people, not just properties, first.”

Leigh Day solicitor Julia Eriksen, who represents DHMF, added: “Our clients are members of the community in Druids Heath who fear that the regeneration plan will displace a large number of families from the area, without guaranteeing a right to return or replacement levels of affordable housing.

“In sending this letter, they hope that the council will reconsider its decision to grant outline planning permission, and look at better assessing the impact of the regeneration plan on the community.”

‘We have contacted residents as often as possible’

Birmingham City Council addressed concerns raised by Druids Heath homeowners last week.

A spokesperson for the local authority acknowledged that any regeneration “will bring changes that will cause understandable distress for those affected”.

“We recognise these feelings and so we have worked closely with the community over the past few years to reassure them, answer questions, and to develop a masterplan for the regeneration of Druids Heath,” they said. “One that meets the needs of the people who live and work there.”

They continued once the developer has been formally appointed, an independent advice organisation will also be appointed to advise and support residents “of all tenure types”.

“A regeneration hub is now open in Druids Heath, where residents can drop in and ask questions at any time,” they said.

On communication with locals, the council spokesperson said: “Throughout the regeneration, we have contacted residents as often as possible with letters, online webinars, digital newsletters and in-person events.

“We are committed to continuing to make sure there are open lines of communication for residents, through a wide variety of forums.”

“There were 1,571 residents who took part in the council’s consultation process on the masterplan, with 68% of them supporting the proposals,” they went on to say.

“This represents a significant majority of people. However, we accept that, given the size and scale of the scheme and the level of demolition proposed, it would not be feasible or expected that there is 100% support for the council’s plans.”

The council added that it knows homeowners are “particularly concerned” about being priced out of the area.

“In response, the council has committed to delivering a shared equity scheme to prevent this from happening,” the spokesperson said.

“It is already running an early acquisitions programme for residents who do want to leave the estate, of which 22 residents have decided to within the last 12 months.”

The council has previously said the regeneration will bring several benefits, such as 1,785 affordable homes (51 per cent of the homes on the development), a new sports hub, improved green spaces, additional community uses and a network of pedestrian and cycling facilities.

October’s planning meeting also heard from the council that the levels of demolition were necessary as “most homes in Druids Heath require millions of pounds in investment to bring them up to only minimum standards”.