Major proposals for Perry Barr housing scheme at ‘athletes’ village’ take a step forward

Birmingham City Council is considering keeping more than 200 homes in the Perry Barr Residential Scheme for social housing as major proposals for the project move forward. The huge scheme was originally intended to be the site of the athletes’ village for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Two years before the Games, however, the decision was made to abandon the village altogether, with development restrictions during Covid being blamed. Construction of the first phase of the scheme, which consists of 968 homes built on four plots, finished in April 2023, but questions still surround the future of the project.

Major decisions on these homes are now set to take place in the coming days, the City Council (BCC) said. According to a recently published report, the CCA cabinet is recommended to keep the new plot, specifically for use as “social housing for general needs”.

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This would mean 213 new-build homes would be available for council housing if the proposal is approved, which the BCC says would provide “a welcome boost to the provision of high-quality housing”. The report goes on to say that 23,000 people are waiting for social housing in Birmingham and some of the 213 people who would be offered new homes will currently be in council-funded temporary accommodation.

It added that the move would reduce the requirements for affordable housing on the other parcels, which could “increase their value to outside bidders”. The council also confirmed that the sale of three plots of land under the scheme is being recommended for approval by the council’s property cabinet sub-committee.

“If approved, this will bring a further 755 new flats to the market, the majority of which would be ready to occupy,” a council spokesman said. “The two proposals put forward for approval follow a review of the scheme’s exit strategy and an active period where plots are marketed for sale to professional investment managers and operators.”

Cllr Sharon Thompson, deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, said Perry Barr was becoming a place “where people are proud to live and a destination of choice for visitors”. “The investment has delivered massive benefits locally, with upgraded public transport links, the stunning redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium and, of course, a significant number of homes which are now ready for occupation,” she said.

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Cllr Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, added that demand for accommodation in Birmingham has never been higher as the country faces a “severe” national housing crisis. “The council has been able to attract investment to deliver 968 new homes in Perry Barr,” she said.

“Subject to cabinet approval, some of these will be available for council housing. The decision to keep one of these plots for use as shared housing was made after a detailed analysis of all possible options.

“It will increase the supply of housing for people in the city who need it most, at a time when the number of people on the housing register has never been higher.”

The decision on the 213 homes is expected to be made by Birmingham City Council’s cabinet next Tuesday, July 23.

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