'Affordable new homes’ unlocked by Birmingham council despite 'setback' to major regeneration plans

The massive scheme, which is set to completely transform the south Brum estate, has suffered a delay following a legal challenge by a number of residents.

The city council has said its project for the area would provide thousands of new homes, revitalised community facilities, transport links, green spaces and more.

But the plans have also sparked concerns over the scheme’s potential impact on the community and fears existing locals will be priced out of the area post-regeneration.

Despite these tensions and the setback caused by the legal challenge, the council said this week it had ‘unlocked’ the early delivery of 62 new affordable homes in Druids Heath.

It said it will partner with developer Lovell on three initial schemes before the wider regeneration of Druids Heath gets under way,

Work has begun on one site at Brockworth Road, which the council says will deliver 12 new apartments by 2027.

Subject to planning approval, it adds that work on the remaining two sites is expected to start in 2026:

Bells Lane (former British Legion site) – 26 homes for social rent, comprising maisonettes, 2-bedroom flats and houses.

Sherstone Covert – 24 homes for social rent, including 1-to-3-bedroom apartments, maisonettes and 3-bedroom houses, alongside “welcoming, open green space” that connects into the wider area.

“Across Druids Heath, priority will be given to residents who have been temporarily relocated from the area,” the council said.

“These sites will demonstrate that commitment from the very start by providing returning households with a high-quality home from 2027 and sense of community for generations to come.”

Coun Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said the three sites were about “looking ahead and marking the start of a future Druids Heath deserves”.

“They offer an early opportunity to showcase our commitment to delivering much needed, affordable homes that are high-quality and support local people to stay in the area and live healthy, sustainable lives,” she said.

Simon Wingate, regional partnerships director at Lovell, added: “At the core of our partnership with Birmingham City Council is a shared commitment to local people – creating quality homes and building strong, connected communities around them.

“As we bring forward these initial developments, we are keen to work closely with residents to shape wider improvements in the area, helping to build a Druid’s Heath that meets local needs now and in the future.”

The legal challenge ultimately resulted in the decision to give planning permission to the Druids Heath regeneration scheme being quashed.

Central England Law Centre (CELC) argued that the council failed to disclose the full Financial Viability Assessment when the plans were approved by the council’s planning committee.

This assessment was used to justify why the planning application only detailed around 11 percent affordable housing (400 out of 3,500 homes), rather than the 51 per cent promised by the council.

Earlier this month, Birmingham City Council confirmed it had requested the court quash the original planning decision – and this has now been agreed.

This means the project will be hit by delays, with the project having to be brought back to the planning committee again for a decision.

“The basis of that challenge will be addressed by making the Financial Viability Assessment for the scheme public,” a council spokesperson said recently.

“We know the community is keen to see regeneration plans move forward.

“We regret the delays that this challenge causes, particularly the demolition of cleared tower blocks, which cannot be achieved without planning consent.”

‘Commitment to delivery remains’

Amid fears over the project, the council has repeatedly insisted that it is committed to making just over half of the future homes “affordable”.

“For over two years, the council has worked with the community to create a plan for the regeneration of Druids Heath, holding discussions with more than 1,000 residents, of which 68 per cent support the scheme,” a council spokesperson said.

“The council’s commitment to delivery remains.

“The council will progress the scheme through the planning process as soon as feasibly possible, honouring its commitments to residents.”

They previously said the Financial Viability Assessment contained commercially sensitive information that could not be released while the council were in a procurement process to identify their preferred partner.

This meant that it was not available to the planning committee when they made their original decision.

The council has also previously acknowledged that 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,” a spokesperson for the local authority said.