Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee have approved the Druids Heath regeneration scheme, which will bring around 3,500 new homes and infrastructure
The council is committed to building 1,785 affordable homes as part of the Druids Heath scheme, representing 51% of homes on the development, as well as green spaces, new infrastructure and transport links, as well as a revitalised commercial and community spaces.
The planning application also contains proposals for the development of homes for sale, and homes to be designed for people later in life. It also includes proposals for new community and sports facilities, a vibrant high street which would serve as the central hub of the community.
Lovell will partner with the Council on the Druids Heath regeneration project
The council and Lovell have begun work on a partnership agreement, which is expected to be agreed upon and signed in Spring 2026.
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.
The Druids Heath regeneration planning application details how 400 homes will be built as social rented homes. The remaining affordable homes will be delivered through a partnership agreement with the developer partner and Homes England.
Existing council tenants ‘will be provided for’, according to the Council
Cllr Brennan, Cabinet member for Housing and Homelessness, said: “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.
There has been a vocal campaign against the development by local residents
Local residents gathered outside the planning meeting on Thursday with signs and chants voicing their concerns about being pushed out of their homes and advocating to “refurbish, don’t demolish”. Whilst the panel voted to approve, the public gallery saw several angry outbursts, according to Birmingham Live. Speaking later, Druids Heath councillor Julien Pritchard said there was “clear anger in the community about this”.
“The outline planning application had a massive reduction in genuinely affordable socially rented homes and more demolition than is needed,” he said. “Replacing social homes shouldn’t be a vague aspiration. It’s something that should be guaranteed. The application didn’t offer the written guarantees on social housing the community needed.”
Cllr Brennan’s statement continues: “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 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.”
“The council is committed to everyone in Druids Heath being able to stay on the estate who wants to stay.
“We have also promised to make sure existing homeowners aren’t priced out of the estate, a shared equity model and early acquisitions program will support this aspiration.
“Now the planning application has been approved, work can progress to release additional funding from Homes England that will provide the social homes needed on the estate. All of the existing council tenants on the estate will be provided for.”
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