Planning application to Birmingham City Council will propose new family homes, a care home and high-quality landscaped spaces as part of the comprehensive regeneration of the brownfield site
Plans are being prepared for the comprehensive redevelopment of the former Bill House site on Soho Road, Handsworth, with a planning application expected to be submitted to Birmingham City Council.
The proposals have been shaped by technical surveys and planning and land use appraisals, refined in response to pre-application feedback from Birmingham City Council. Engagement with local councillors, MPs, the Nishkam Centre, the Church Development Agency, Soho Road BID, West Midlands Police, community organisations and residents has helped inform this ambitious scheme. It will transform the derelict brownfield site into a vibrant residential-led development and support the wider regeneration of the area.
The proposed development will deliver:
> 40 four-bedroom family townhouses, each with dedicated parking, electric vehicle charging, an air-source heat pump, solar panels and battery storage.
> A 70-bed care home, supported by dedicated staff and visitor parking.
> New high-quality landscaped open spaces, including extensive tree planting with a diverse range of species, communal gardens and a dedicated children’s play area.
> Continued vehicular access via Villa Road, maintaining an established connection to the surrounding area.
The scheme has been designed to respond sensitively to the local character of Handsworth while delivering a modern, sustainable development that supports multi-generational living and reflects the needs of the local community.
A public consultation event as well as an online survey will help inform the local community and gain feedback and ideas that might help shape the proposal.
A key objective of the proposals is to introduce a diverse mix of housing and supporting care provision, creating a community that caters for different stages of life. The development will incorporate a range of housing opportunities, including affordable housing, open-market homes and lease options, alongside the proposed care home.
The redevelopment will also significantly improve the appearance and quality of the site and its surroundings. New landscaping, tree planting, communal areas and play space will create a stronger sense of place, while improvements to the streetscape will provide safer, more welcoming spaces for residents, visitors and the wider community.
The project team believes the proposals represent an important opportunity to bring a long-standing derelict site back into productive use, delivering much-needed homes and care provision while creating a high-quality environment that can contribute positively to the ongoing regeneration of Handsworth.
The new Bill House development aims to create a place that feels authentic, uplifting and connected to its surroundings, providing a long-term positive legacy for existing and future residents and supporting the wider community.
The public consultation event took place on Friday 18th September at St Francis Centre, 101 Hunters Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, B19 1EB. It’s not too late to have your say, you can fill out the survey by visiting www.bill-house.com.