By Alexander Brock

Copyright birminghammail

Birmingham City Council has been urged to “be straight” with residents as a major project to transform a “forgotten” estate into a green oasis takes an important step forward. The Labour authority’s enormous regeneration scheme could drastically change Druids Heath in the south of the city and bring around 3,500 new homes to the area. New infrastructure, transport links and green spaces could be provided while commercial and community spaces would also be revitalised through the scheme. READ MORE: 14 Birmingham streets to be made one-way – full list But fears have been raised in the past over the possible impact on the community and people being priced out of the area. The council confirmed this month that it had identified a preferred developer for the scheme– a step which is set to pave the way for the regeneration project to start. Green Party councillor Julien Pritchard, who represents Druids Heath, has expressed frustration however following the latest news and argued uncertainty still surrounds the plans. “Not publicising who the council is doing a deal with or the details of their bid keeps Druids Heath residents in the dark until next year,” he said. “This isn’t buying a computer system or some office furniture – this is people’s homes and communities. “Either the council is hiding behind procurement rules or those rules aren’t fit for purpose if they keep a community in the dark like this.” The preferred developer was unnamed in a recent council report, with certain procurement details exempt from disclosure due to “information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person”. Coun Pritchard went on to question why the planning application for the project only details how 400 homes will be built as affordable homes, which the council aims to deliver for social rent. The council previously committed to building around 1,785 affordable homes as part of the scheme, which would represent 51 per cent of homes on the development. “The council needs to be straight with residents,” Coun Pritchard said. “Will this redevelopment definitely replace all the social housing that’s demolished? READ MORE: Birmingham residents ‘still suffering’ as bins strike reaches grim milestone “How affordable will new homes be? Will residents definitely be able to afford to stay?” He continued: “Residents have a right to know who this potential developer is and the deal the council is negotiating. “We need cast-iron guarantees that social housing will be replaced and that residents won’t be priced out.” The council said earlier this year that the remaining affordable homes, other than the 400 mentioned, will be delivered through a partnership agreement with a developer and a registered provider. Coun Jayne Francis, former cabinet member for housing and homelessness, also previously insisted that the regeneration of Druids Heath would “provide much-needed, new affordable homes”. “For the past two years, we have been working with the community in Druids Heath to develop a plan to regenerate the area, one that meets the needs of the people who live and work there,” she said. Coun Francis said she understood residents’ concerns about being priced out of the area. “For this reason, the council is looking at how we can use different financial models to give residents an opportunity to remain on the estate,” she said. “We will let residents know more about these models as soon as we are able. “It is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so.” A report from the council, published ahead of a cabinet meeting this month, said a procurement process to find a developer and enter into a strategic partnership started back in May. “The procurement procedure has now completed and a preferred developer (Developer A) has been identified,” it said. “The next stage of this procurement is to enter into detailed discussions with the preferred developer to finalise the contractual agreements to allow for the commencement of the scheme.” The council said the award of the strategic partnership agreement for the delivery of the scheme could be approved by cabinet members in early 2026. It said the authority was “now able to give the community more certainty and assurance that the project is beginning to take shape”. The cabinet meeting this month also heard the procurement process was “thorough and intensive”. Cabinet members agreed to authorise discussions to finalise the strategic partnership agreement.