{"id":451037,"date":"2025-09-25T19:02:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:02:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/451037\/"},"modified":"2025-09-25T19:02:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:02:15","slug":"eight-neglected-birmingham-neighbourhoods-to-get-multi-millions-for-patriot-led-revival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/451037\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight ‘neglected’ Birmingham neighbourhoods to get multi-millions for ‘patriot-led’ revival"},"content":{"rendered":"

Druids Heath, Glebe Farm, Kingstanding South East, Woodgate, Sparkbrook North, Fox Hollies, Hawkesley and Nechells among boosted areas<\/p>\n

18:00, 25 Sep 2025Updated 18:13, 25 Sep 2025<\/p>\n

\"FoxFox Hollies tower blocks viewed from Curtis Gardens(Image: Birmingham Mail)<\/p>\n

Eight Birmingham neighbourhoods <\/a>are to get up to \u00a3160 million between them in government funding to revive their high streets, public spaces and parks in a massive boost for the city.<\/p>\n

The selected areas have varying levels of deprivation and need but all are deemed to have been ‘neglected’ and in need of an updated version of ‘levelling up’. The city<\/a> is the biggest recipient in the country of the Labour government’s new Pride In Place funding.<\/p>\n

The areas to land up to \u00a320m each are Hawkesley in Kings Norton South ward, Druids Heath<\/a> in Druids Heath and Monyhull ward, Kingstanding South East, located in Kingstanding ward, Woodgate in Bartley Green ward, Fox Hollies in Acocks Green ward, Glebe Farm in Glebe Farm and Tile Cross ward, Sparkbrook North in Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East ward, and Nechells, at the heart of Nechells ward.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Birmingham City Council launches myth busting Truth Matters project to dispel hate lies<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

They will each get \u00a32 million a year for the next decade to ‘revive high streets, parks and public spaces’, up to a maximum of \u00a320 million.<\/p>\n

Neighbourhoods in Sandwell<\/a>, Wolverhampton, Walsall<\/a> and Solihull<\/a> are also selected. They are Friar Park in Sandwell, Chelmsley Wood East in Solihull, Blakenall South in Walsall and Low Hill in Wolverhampton.<\/p>\n

Local communities will determine how the cash is spent.<\/p>\n

The city council is also getting an immediate \u00a31.5 million to spend on public spaces and introduce new green spaces, play areas and sports and leisure facilities.<\/p>\n

The funding announcement comes amid the unveiling of new powers to let residents reclaim beloved assets at risk and drive what is being termed ‘patriotic renewal’.<\/p>\n

It’s being hailed in its own right as a vital spur to uplift community regeneration, especially in a city still battling to recover from its council’s de facto bankruptcy, a continuing costly bin strike and rising demand for services.<\/p>\n

But it is also seen as a way to push back against the rise of Reform UK, built as that is on the back of residents of some areas feeling neglected and left behind.<\/p>\n

In a press release unveiling the areas to get funding, the Government said it was a programme that was ‘backing the true patriots who build their communities up, and choosing unity over division.’<\/p>\n

A total of 169 areas will receive \u00a32 million every year for a decade, giving long-overlooked communities the certainty and control they need to plan for the future.<\/p>\n

A further 95 areas will receive an immediate \u00a31.5 million to upgrade public spaces with new green spaces, play areas and sports and leisure facilities.<\/p>\n

Communities will also gain new powers to seize boarded-up shops, block nuisance businesses, and buy beloved local assets before they close as a way to restore pride and unity to every corner of the country.<\/p>\n

The announcement is part of the government\u2019s Plan for Change,<\/a> a decade-long mission to back the people who make their communities thrive.<\/p>\n

A way to counter threat of Reform?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Six of the chosen eight neighbourhoods in Birmingham<\/a> are within ward areas that are majority white and working class, according to a BirminghamLive snap analysis of local data.<\/p>\n

They are all expected to be targets for Reform UK in the forthcoming local elections in May 2026.<\/p>\n

The only super diverse areas to receive funding are Nechells, close to the city centre, and Sparkbrook North, part of Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East ward, with a majority Asian community.<\/p>\n

A government spokesperson said the areas were chosen through a combined assessment of the level of deprivation and community needs.<\/p>\n

\"AnAn empty tower block in Druids Heath, recipient of new government funding(Image: Alexander Brock)<\/p>\n

Cllr John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council<\/a>, said: \u201cToday’s Government announcement that eight communities across Birmingham are at the front of the queue for the new Plan for Neighbourhoods Fund, is a huge boost for the people of this city.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe previous Government failed to deliver on its promise to level up for our communities, but today’s news shows that the Labour Government is backing the people and communities of Birmingham.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nechells is one of the recipient neighbourhoods. While the ward has an overall deprivation ranking of 24 out of 69 Birmingham wards, it has areas of extreme poverty and need. It also has a formidable network of community organisations and voluntary groups battling to support residents. They are bursting with ideas and determination, but short on funds.<\/p>\n

Labour councillor Lee Marsham welcomed today’s news. “Both myself and Shabana Mahmood MP have called for greater investment for Nechells, so it is heartening to see that this new Labour Government has listened to us, it is great news for everyone in Nechells,” he said.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said of the funding: \u201cFor too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline \u2013 powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re investing in the UK\u2019s future by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it\u2019s people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a huge investment, but what matters most is who decides how it\u2019s spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best, the people with real skin in the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re choosing renewal over decline, unity over division. This is our Plan for Change in action \u2013 giving power and pride back to the people who make Britain great.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BritishBritish Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer<\/p>\n

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed said of the plans: \u201cBuilding pride in place starts with people, not politics. Local people know what they want to see in their neighbourhoods \u2013 and they don\u2019t need government to dictate it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis plan will spark an historic grassroots movement that will restore local people\u2019s power, boost national pride and help people get on in life across the UK as part of our Plan for Change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Work is already under way in 75 areas who had benefited from a first wave of \u00a31.5 billion of funds.<\/p>\n

The areas of the West Midlands that received funds earlier this year were:<\/p>\n