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THE GREAT DRUIDS HEATH MYSTERY

24-01-2008

Mystery surrounds the future of one of Birmingham’s biggest council estates after The Stirrer received reports that more than 2,500 new homes are going to be built there.

Druids Heath is the gateway to the south of the city, and is by-passed daily by thousands of motorists heading to and from the M42.

Although a strong community feeling exists in the area, it's not without is problems, and last March management of the estate was taken back by the local authority after the failure of a tenants’ co-operative.

Cabinet Member for Housing John Lines said at the time that it looked “more like Beirut than Birmingham.” (http://tinyurl.com/24on7n).

Now there are plans for a radical revamp of the area - although precise details remain vague.

What we have discovered for certain is that a feasibility study is underway which could radically alter the place – and significantly add to its current stock of 1,700 homes. A figure of 2,500 new properties has been mentioned by one reliable source.

These changes may be a positive development as many dwellings in Druids Heath currently fail to meet the government’s Decent Homes Standard.

Lack of consultation with residents remains a concern, though, and so far as we are aware, there has been no public discussion of the issue.

Here are some of the concerns that have been raised and which we are trying to clarify:

1. Will there be a demolition and clearance process, so that the new houses replace the existing ones?
2. If so, will existing tenants have the right to return and live in the new properties, with the Council as their landlord? And if not, why not?
3. Will any of the new properties swallow the estate's valuable open space, part of which (“The Dell”) was designated a village green after a celebrated local campaign?
4. Will there also be a new road through the estate?