Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee have approved an outline planning application for the regeneration of Druids Heath, which will deliver a sustainable community of around 3,5000 new homes.
Alongside the homes, new green spaces, infrastructure and transport links will be created, while existing commercial and community spaces will be revitalised.
The scheme will include 1,785 affordable homes, representing 51% of the development, with 400 homes built for social rent. The remaining affordable homes will be delivered through a partnership agreement with the developer partner and Homes England.
The planning application also contains proposals for the development of homes for sale, and homes to be designed for later living. It also includes proposals for new community and sports facilities, a vibrant high street which would serve as the central hub of the community.
The news comes after Birmingham City Council announced that Lovell had been selected as the preferred developer for the Druids Heath regeneration scheme last month.
The council and Lovell have begun work on a partnership agreement, which is expected to be agreed upon and signed in spring 26.
The partnership agreement will set out the obligations between the developer and the council to deliver the regeneration. It will be the final step before the regeneration project can start.
Cllr Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “This scheme will deliver 51% affordable housing, amounting to nearly 1,800 homes, and I am committed to that.”
“All of the existing council tenants on the estate and those who have already decanted will be provided for. We committed to this publicly and this is still our promise. This promise also forms part of our legally binding agreement with the developer.”
“The planning decision today will deliver the first social rented homes, with the remainder to be delivered through the partnership agreement. Both these processes carry equal weight; the scheme will not go ahead without those remaining affordable homes being delivered through the partnership agreement. The result will be a net increase in affordable homes in Druids Heath; there is no loss.”
“I recognise the passion and concerns that many people feel around this regeneration. However, the plan to regenerate Druids Heath is something we have been working on with the community for more than two years. Discussions have been had with more than 1,000 residents, of which 68% supported the scheme.”
“This regeneration will make a significant contribution to our goal of building an additional 51,100 homes by 2031, as well as being able to provide for a variety of housing needs.”
