A green growth city

A 20 year vision for a thriving, green, Perry Barr

What is the big idea?

Guided by the key principles of inclusive and sustainable growth, Perry Barr will make the most of the opportunity presented by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to become a place where people choose to live, work and visit in ways which are healthier, better-connected and more sustainable.

Our ambitious vision will see Perry Barr become a better connected suburb in Birmingham, with active and sustainable travel choices becoming the norm for residents and visitors.

Creating a dynamic, resilient place that can face up to the challenge of climate change, it will also see Perry Barr positively contribute to helping our city become carbon neutral by 2030.

What does this mean for me and my city?

Perry Barr will be at the heart of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the area is already benefiting from significant investment, including:

• Construction of the Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme, with nearly 1,000 new homes currently under construction in the first phases, and a further 4,000 homes in the longer term;
• The A34 Highways Scheme, which includes extended segregated cycle routes and improved pedestrian facilities;
• An improved bus interchange in front of the One Stop Shopping Centre;
• The creation of the Sprint priority bus corridor which will link residential and employment areas while making bus journeys quicker and more reliable;
• A new Perry Barr railway including significant accessibility improvements offering quick, reliable, and frequent access to the city centre. It is also an area which presents exciting opportunities for further change which are being planned;
• Active and sustainable travel choices becoming the norm for residents and visitors through better connectivity;
• Prioritising parks, waterways, allotments and public spaces to create a joined-up green network which supports wellbeing and access to nature;
• Celebrating the area’s cultural, sporting and historic identity and providing the conditions for this to continue to thrive; and
• Strategic re-purposing of vacant land and historically significant existing buildings to create opportunities for entrepreneurial, civic, and community-focussed initiatives and meanwhile uses.­­­­

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to use the energy, promise and possibility of the Commonwealth Games as a catalyst for change and to help shape a bold, sustainable, inclusive, and ambitious future for Perry Barr and its surrounding neighbourhoods.

What can be learnt from this to ensure it continues?

Strength in collaboration and partnership and a model for working in other areas of the city In developing the Masterplan, the Council set up working groups across five topic areas, including both the public and private sector, to provide input and guidance on issues and opportunities.

Alongside the five working groups, discussions have been held with residents’ groups, businesses, landowners, and other organisations in Perry Barr ahead of this consultation.

This approach to engagement helps to bring partners on board early and to ensure the right outcomes for both people and place.

The approach applied for Perry Barr Masterplan will be replicated for future regeneration projects delivered through the Our Future City Strategy.