Inside ‘neglected’ Birmingham estate as residents take a stand against demolition plans

These acts of resistance catch my eye as I wander around Druids Heath, an area set to be completely transformed as part of the city council’s enormous regeneration project.

The huge scheme has ambitions of turning the estate into a green oasis, complete with 3,500 new homes, new infrastructure, transport links and more.

But optimism from the Labour-run council has been accompanied by concerns over the potential impact on the community; the levels of demolition and fears existing residents will be priced out of the area.

Homeowner Denise Dean, one of the Druids Heath locals with a “not for sale” sign outside her property, tells me during my visit the house where she has lived for more than 50 years faces demolition.

“The house doesn’t feel like it’s mine anymore,” the 66-year-old says. “Where do I go and live if my home is demolished?”

She goes on to describe the communication from the council as “diabolical” and hands me a letter from the authority, which acknowledges “there are memories in current homes that can’t be replaced”.

“We’ve had just two letters [about the regeneration] from them all this time and it’s addressed to ‘the residents’,” Denise claims, frustrated by the letter’s generic nature.

The letter continues that demolition is “upsetting”, saying: “As a council, we have great empathy with the level of intrusion these regeneration schemes cause.”

The council is set to offer market value for homes on the estate, along with an extra 10% of the sale price for residential homeowners.

But the homeowners I spoke to argued they had been left in a state of limbo and are unsure about how much they will actually be offered.

The letter makes clear the council is committed to offering shared ownership options so residents aren’t priced out of the area – but some of those who own their homes outright are less than impressed by the prospect.

There’s clear evidence Druids Heath needs investment as I walk around the estate, whether it’s the derelict tower blocks which dominate the skyline or the fly-tipping near particular pavements.

But those who live there also speak about the area’s community spirit and the potential it has.

“[The regeneration scheme] will destroy the community,” Denise told me.

“There’s a lot that needs changing in Druids Heath but the reason the estate is so poor is because the council haven’t spent any money on it.”

Asked what she wants from the city council, she said: “Communication, assurance and to be treated fairly.”

‘They will have to drag me out’

Living nearby is Kim McDermott, a resident who said she was unaware that her home faces demolition until the local councillor knocked on her door.

The news came as a deep shock to her, especially as she had recently spent £65,000 “future-proofing” her home for old age.

“I’m angry,” the 67-year-old told me. “It’s a joke.

“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.

“I will go to court, I really will – I’m not going to live in a box.”

She said she wants the council to reconsider their regeneration plans and see if the houses on her road are viable to keep.

Such tensions over the regeneration scheme boiled over at a council planning meeting last month where the plans were officially given the green light.

It was a meeting marked by angry questions and outbursts, with chants of “you vote yes, we vote no” after the decision was made and Druids Heath’s fate sealed.

Outside the council house that day, Clare Woodward said she feared the possible impact the scheme could have on her family.

“My dad is 76, he’s lived there 40 odd years,” she said. “Are they going to kick him out of his house at his age? I’m worried about where my dad and I’ll go, I’ve got four children.”

Asked what her message to Birmingham Council is, she said: “Regenerate the area but you don’t need to demolish it all.”

The scale of the demolition has also been raised as a concern by Green Party councillor Julien Pritchard, who represents the area.

“I think the council should look again at how much is being demolished ” he told me at a local cafe. “Does everything need to go? I don’t think so.”

Asked how the council should address deep concerns among the community, Coun Pritchard said: “It needs to fulfil its promises about looking after the estate in the meantime and have the same pride in it that residents do.

“I think we need absolute guarantees that all the social housing that’s demolished is replaced with social housing.

“Homeowners should be offered like for like, they own a home at the moment – they should get a home at the end of it.

“Communication needs to improve, the council needs to go out and speak to people face to face.”

He added: “Druids Heath does need investment but it should be investment for the people here and be done with them.”

‘Understandable distress’

Birmingham City Council was asked this week about the concerns raised by the homeowners I spoke to during my visit.

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.

Addressing concerns over communication, 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.”

‘Meanwhile offer’

The council added that it know 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 housing, a new sports hub, improved green spaces, additional community uses and a network of pedestrian and cycling facilities.

Last month’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”.

The council has committed to provide 1,785 affordable homes (51% of the homes on the development) and says it has put in a place a ‘meanwhile offer’ during the regeneration.

This includes support for the area such as an investment in CCTV, an increasing cleaning schedule on the estate and free advice throughout the project.