'Our demolition-threatened homes are not for sale'

Resident Denise Dean said her house did not feel like hers any more

Dotted around an estate in south Birmingham, red signs broadcast a defiant message from residents: their homes are "not for sale".

Druids Heath is set to be completely transformed as part of the city council's enormous regeneration project - there are ambitions of turning the estate into a green oasis with 3,500 new homes, new infrastructure, transport links and more.

Despite optimism from the Labour-run council, there are concerns over the levels of demolition that would be required and fears existing residents will be priced out of the area.

Birmingham City Council acknowledged regeneration would bring changes that would cause "understandable distress" for those affected, but said it had worked with the community to reassure them and answer questions.

Councillors narrowly approved outline planning permission for the area's regeneration, in October.

Under the plans, tower blocks built in the 1960s would be demolished.

Resident Denise Dean, 66, has a "not for sale" sign outside her property, where she has lived for 50 years, and which is now earmarked for demolition.

"The house doesn't feel like it's mine anymore," she said.

"Where do I go and live if my home is demolished?"

She said communication from the council had been "diabolical".

"We've had just two letters [about the regeneration] from them all this time and it's addressed to 'the residents'."

Visualisation of the regeneration scheme shows that any new developments would have green spaces within it

A council spokesperson said: "Throughout the regeneration, we have contacted residents as often as possible with letters, online webinars, digital newsletters and in-person events.

"We are committed to continuing to make sure there are open lines of communication for residents, through a wide variety of forums."

Councillors narrowly approved outline planning permission in October

The council is set to offer market value for homes on the estate, along with an extra 10 per cent of the sale price for residential homeowners.

But some homeowners argued they had been left in a state of limbo and were unsure about how much they will actually be offered.

The authority said it was aware residents were concerned about being priced out.

"In response, the council has committed to delivering a shared equity scheme to prevent this from happening," a spokesperson said.

"It is already running an early acquisitions programme for residents who do want to leave the estate, of which 22 residents have decided to within the last 12 months."

Signs were held up in protest at a recent meeting which saw the plans approved

Another resident, Kim McDermott, 67, said she was unaware her home faced demolition until the local councillor knocked on her door.

She said the news was a shock, after recently spending £65,000 "future-proofing" her home for old age.

"I'm angry. It's a joke," she said.

"I don't know what the council is going to offer me, but if they try to insult me with a low offer, they will have to drag me out of here."

She said she wanted the council to reconsider their regeneration plans and see if the houses on her road were viable to remain.

At a planning meeting last month, the authority said the levels of demolition were necessary as "most homes in Druids Heath require millions of pounds in investment to bring them up to only minimum standards".

'Majority support regeneration'

Birmingham City Council added that an independent advice organisation would be be appointed to advise and support residents "of all tenure types".

"A regeneration hub is now open in Druids Heath, where residents can drop in and ask questions at any time," a spokesperson said.

The authority said of 1,571 residents who took part in the consultation process, 68% of them supported the proposals.

"This represents a significant majority of people," the spokesperson continued.

"However, we accept that, given the size and scale of the scheme and the level of demolition proposed, it would not be feasible or expected that there is 100% support for the council's plans."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.