Ground works are to begin on a new community-led housing and retail development in South Birmingham.
The mutually owned Stirchley Co-operative Development (SCD) will comprise 39 new homes and three retail units for long-established Stirchley community businesses.
The project plans were unanimously approved by Birmingham City Council in 2021.
The group purchased the site from Seven Capital in the summer of last year after securing “significant” funding from Homes England and the European Interreg NWE.
Construction of the three-storey development is now scheduled to begin in late spring 2023.
In all, the one-, two-, and three-bed properties will house more than 90 people.
Up to this point, membership of SCD has consisted of the three Stirchley businesses, plus a handful of people from local housing co-operatives.
However, this is set to change in the coming months when applications for membership will be opened to the public.
Hundreds of expressions of interest have already been received from prospective tenants, according to the group.
Matthew Cox, SCD board member and director of Birmingham Bike Foundry – one of the co-operative businesses that form the SCD group – said: “The project was always important, but now it’s even more so.
“We’re excited that we’re finally able to start building, for every day that passes without these additional affordable homes exaggerates the struggles of people in vulnerable housing situations.”
SCD being a co-operative means that the building and land is mutually owned by the tenants and workers who use it.
Pete Ashton, SCD board member and worker at Loaf Bakery, said: “In response to over-inflated house prices and ever increasing rents, we’re able to offer an alternative for the people who already live and work in Stirchley and want to continue to do so.”
The overall cost of the progressive development is set to be £10.4m, which will provide:
- 39 affordable rental properties (housing) with laundries and common garden spaces
- Secure, sustainable and fit-for-purpose premises for three existing co-operative businesses currently renting privately in Stirchley
- A new community space, including a pedestrian walkway, seating, community garden, and cycle parking
- Closed panel timber frames, provided by Walsall-based LoCal Homes, which exceed building regulations
The group says the scheme has been welcomed by the Stirchley community, with the planning application receiving over 300 positive recommendations, including from local business owners, community leaders, and elected officials.
As the site is close to public transport, cycle routes and parks, it will include over 100 bike parking spaces donated by the Commonwealth Games organisers and car ownership will be restricted through membership agreements.
‘Massive step forward’
Bea Hughes, SCD board member and volunteer, said: “This is a massive step forward for Stirchley – the culmination of years of hard work.
“I’m excited to be helping build more public space for the community in this project.
“Free of cars and affordable for tenants, it gives us hope in response to the rising cost of living and the climate crisis.”
Steve McCabe, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, added: “This is a community-led development – it is the kind of proposal that allows Birmingham to innovate and be a leader.
“It’s about local people coming together to provide quality, affordable housing, to those in need, and create retail space to allow three businesses to expand and grow.
“This is a refreshing change from the normal profit-led developments by companies whose shareholders have no interest in Stirchley.”
Founded in 2016, SCD is made up of members from two local housing co-operatives and three local businesses, including a bakery and cookery school, an art space and café, and a bicycle repair shop.
The not-for-profit, mixed-use development has received project support from local co-op housing provider GreenSquareAccord – one of the largest housing and social care organisations in the Midlands.
SCD is aiming to complete construction in spring/summer 2024.
Image: Part of the new 39-home Stirchley Co-operative Development
Read next: Ongo hands over first of 96 new homes in Doncaster village
Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
