About the project
Druids Heath is around 6 miles south of the city centre and is near the border between Worcestershire and Birmingham, with good access to the A435 road and the M42 motorway.
It is mainly a residential area where most of the houses were developed by us in the 1960s to provide a mixture of low-rise and high-rise accommodation.
Since Druids Heath was built, most of it has been left the same, and it is the only large municipal estate in Birmingham that has received no major regeneration investment.
While the location is excellent, the environment and character of parts of the area are poor, as well as the quality, design and layout of many of the properties themselves.
In 2016, we worked with the Homes and Communities Agency, who provided funds to prepare a master plan for the regeneration of parts of Druids Heath.
Following the consultation in 2017 and 2018, a preferred option was chosen, which was to rehouse residents from and then demolish six tower blocks (Heath House, Saxelby House, Kingswood House, Barratts House, Hillcroft House, and Brookpiece House) and the former Baverstock School to allow new homes to be built on these areas.
Cabinet approval was gained in October 2018 for a 7-year redevelopment programme which involved reviewing properties in the south of Bells Lane area after the programme has been completed. A local lettings plan was put in place to make sure the residents affected by the rehousing had the option to return to Druids Heath.
At a public meeting in February 2020, it was agreed that the rehousing and demolition should continue but that a partnership board should be set up to make sure that designs and proposals have input from all areas of the community. A dedicated engagement programme following the appointment of The Pioneer Group in 2021 has now replaced this board.
In December 2021, Cabinet approval was gained for the principle of a holistic regeneration which would deliver more than housing. Work is currently taking place to create a masterplan to work towards an outline planning application with The Pioneer Group.
In July 2022, Cabinet approval was gained for a Levelling Up Fund bid to deliver 3 ideas from the engagement with residents (Village Green, public square, sports pitches, and community amenities) for Druids Heath that would greatly contribute to the regeneration of the area.
In December 2022, Cabinet approval was gained to bring the Druids Heath South area into the project by creating a masterplan. Engagement is ongoing to produce visions and a masterplan to help create an outline planning application.
Page last updated: 11 March 2024
