Birmingham and Sandwell

Pathfinder: Urban Living

Introduction

This pathfinder area is located in the north-west of Birmingham and east of Sandwell. The area experienced a fall in population of 5.5 per cent between 1991 and 2001. A defining feature of the area is its large and rapidly growing Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) community. In 2001, 65 per cent of the areas inhabitants were from BME communities, with 58 per cent of this population aged 29 or under. The area is a focal point for international migrants.

Map showing Urban Living Neighbourhoods and Spatial Intervention Areas

Map showing Urban Living Neighbourhoods and Spatial Intervention Areas

Case study

Greets Green, West Bromwich

Progress is being made on the regeneration of the Greets Green area of West Bromwich as a result of extensive resident consultation.

Housing is a key issue within Greets Green where the following concerns have been identified:

unstable housing demand
limited housing choice, with a high proportion of social housing
lack of new build sites
poor conditions within the private sector housing market.

Low demand housing in the Greets Green area of West Bromwich

Picture: Housing in the Greets Green area of West Bromwich.

As a result, the Greets Green Housing Plan was drawn up in partnership with Greets Green New Deal for Communities (NDC) and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC) to deal with these issues and begin to regenerate the area where, so far, Urban Living has allocated £5.2m towards market renewal activities.

Residents have been consulted from the outset in a variety of ways and, in areas specifically affected by the plans, individual home visits were arranged. In a high Black and Minority Ethnic (BME), owner-occupier area a residents' Critical Friend was appointed to provide independent advice on options and an interpreter was made available.

In recognition of their work with residents, the Greets Green consultation team received a commendation at the 2006 RegenWM Awards.

Contact

Urban Living (Birmingham Sandwell)
Bob Pringle
7th Floor
Intersection House
110 Birmingham Road
West Bromwich
B70 6RP

Telephone: 0121 580 6740
Email: bob_pringle@sandwell.gov.uk
Website: www.urbanliving.org.uk (external link)