Controversial tower block estate plans submitted

Plans for the controversial regeneration of a Birmingham estate that would see 1960s tower blocks demolished over 20 years and replaced with new homes have been submitted.

Birmingham City Council said the application for Druids Heath was to deliver about 3,500 energy efficient homes – 1,785 of them affordable.

Last year, estate residents said the plans would see the destruction of a community built over decades, and they feared would not be able to afford to move into the new homes.

The council said it was looking at different financial models to give people an opportunity to stay.

Out of the 1,785 affordable homes, 400 will be for social rent.

Some residents have lived all their life on the estate after their parents moved there in the 60s.

After the masterplan was proposed, Green Party councillor Julien Pritchard said he was "taken aback by the extent of the demolition".

The council has promised "excellent green spaces, new infrastructure and transport links, as well as the revitalisation of commercial and community spaces".

It said the scheme would deliver much-needed affordable homes and provide housing that would reduce fuel bills and contribute to the city's net-zero ambitions.

Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said the council had worked with the community for two years and the most common comment was timescales were too long, and so plans had been changed to deliver faster.

She said any regeneration could affect homes and be "a significant cause of distress".

She said: "To help, we will appoint independent advisors to advise homeowners throughout the process to ensure our residents feel supported and informed. We will also hold regular in-person drop-in sessions."

She said the authority also understood residents' concerns about being priced out and it would let people know more about different financial models as soon as it was able.

Francis said: "It is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so."

The council said work to appoint a developer was under way.

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