A Birmingham faith leader has said improvement to Handsworth would improve the city as a whole
Harpal Singh and GNNSJ chair Bhai Sahib spoke to BirminghamLive about the organisation’s plans for Handsworth(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
A Birmingham faith leader urged reinvestment in Handsworth with a masterplan and said the area has ‘gone to the dogs’.
Regarding Handsworth’s location, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNSSJ) believes a regeneration would encourage investment and improve the city as a whole.
GNSSJ chairman Bhai Sahib wants to preserve the area’s history with regeneration whilst providing growth in the community.
Read More: I visited one of the ‘worst Greggs’ for food hygiene minutes from Birmingham
Speaking to BirminghamLive, he said: “We have sworn allegiance to Handsworth for at least 200 years.
“You have to think ahead. This is the epicentre of the Industrial Revolution.
“This was a very good area where aristocrats used to live. It’s gone to the dogs. This is an area with a culturally rich history and we need to preserve that.
GNNSJ plan for the Bill House to become housing developments(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)
“The city is moving towards our direction and we need to be prepared.
“If you want to regenerate an area then you have to make some decisions.”
Over the last 40 years, the Nishkam Group of Organisations has invested £60 million towards regenerating the area.
This includes a number of houses redeveloped on Soho Road with a primary school and nursey to provide value-led education.
The regeneration of Soho Road would be a much-needed boost to an area dubbed ‘England’s worst street’ by a YouTuber.
In a video which has seen over three million views, YouTuber Bald and Bankrupt mocked Soho Road during a visit last year.
The Soho Road regeneration would be a boost to the area dubbed ‘England’s worst street'(Image: Robson McCallister/BirminghamLive )
The GNNSJ are located on the Soho Road and the organisation’s masterplan outline exciting plans for Handsworth.
Future plans for the regeneration include an additional three storey building on Temple Row House for retail and office space.
Sheltered housing to provide a space for the aged community is another plan of the regeneration.
To celebrate the area’s history of the Industrial Revolution, GNNSJ are working towards an arch installation, viewed as an entry point into Soho Road.
Another desire is the Bill House site, a semi-derelict location for over 20 years.
Harpal Singh added: “We’re working with Church of England and our view is to put a proposal forward for housing developments on Bill House.
“One hundred percent social housing, but family housing with not too many apartments.
“We want this to become a family-friendly environment and not just an intense stack of units with no parking and no recreational facilities.
“We want people to invest in the area, stay in the area and feel like this is home and not a transient location.”
The plan ahead is for GNSSJ to partner with likeminded individuals and stakeholders who share similar aims and visions for Handsworth.
Handsworth Ward Cllr Hendrina Quinnen said: “I have been proud to represent the diverse communities of Handsworth ward for many years, and whilst no-one can deny that we face some challenges, I have worked with individuals and groups from across the community, including those of all faiths, who have played their part in making our area more pleasant for everyone.
“As a local councillor, I work to stand up for every resident, and I will work together with GNNSJ on their proposals to help make Handsworth ward a cleaner and more prosperous place, benefitting everyone who calls it home.”