Residents of a Birmingham estate described as "neglected" are mounting fierce resistance against council demolition plans that would transform their community beyond recognition.
Red signs of resistance
Across Druids Heath in south Birmingham, bright red signs bearing the defiant message "not for sale" signal residents' determination to fight Birmingham City Council's regeneration scheme. The ambitious project aims to completely overhaul the area, creating 3,500 new homes alongside improved infrastructure, transport links and green spaces.
However, the council's vision for a "green oasis" has been met with deep concern from long-term residents who fear being priced out of their own community and losing homes filled with decades of memories.
Residents' stories of uncertainty
Denise Dean, 66, has lived in her Druids Heath home for over 50 years and now faces the prospect of seeing it demolished. "The house doesn't feel like it's mine anymore," she told local reporters. "Where do I go and live if my home is demolished?"
She described communication from the council as "diabolical", claiming residents had received only two generic letters addressed simply to "the residents" throughout the entire process.
Nearby resident Kim McDermott, 67, received the shocking news that her home faced demolition only when a local councillor knocked on her door. The timing couldn't be worse - she had recently spent £65,000 adapting her property for her older years.
"I'm angry," McDermott stated. "It's a joke. If they try to insult me with a low offer, they will have to drag me out of here. I will go to court, I really will - I'm not going to live in a box."
Council response and community concerns
Birmingham City Council acknowledges the distress caused by the regeneration plans. A council spokesperson stated: "We recognise these feelings and so we have worked closely with the community over the past few years to reassure them, answer questions, and to develop a masterplan for the regeneration of Druids Heath."
The council has committed to offering market value plus an additional 10% for residential homeowners and says a regeneration hub has opened where residents can ask questions. They also highlight that 68% of the 1,571 residents who participated in consultation supported the proposals.
However, Green Party councillor Julien Pritchard, who represents the area, questions the scale of demolition. "I think the council should look again at how much is being demolished," he said. "Does everything need to go? I don't think so."
He emphasised the need for absolute guarantees that all demolished social housing would be replaced with social housing, and that homeowners should receive "like for like" properties.
The tensions erupted publicly last month when the council's planning committee approved the scheme amid angry outbursts from residents. Chants of "you vote yes, we vote no" echoed through the council chamber following the decision.
While the council argues that most homes in Druids Heath require millions in investment to meet minimum standards, residents like Denise Dean counter that the area's poor condition results from years of council neglect. "There's a lot that needs changing in Druids Heath," she acknowledged, "but the reason the estate is so poor is because the council haven't spent any money on it."
