Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Development Plan 2014-2031
Balsall Heath grew up in the age of manufacturing and the expansion of Birmingham. Its once green fields became filled with densely packed terraced housing. With the decline of manufacturing industry, many people in Balsall Heath became unemployed and some moved out in search of other jobs. The community became weak, the 100-plus year-old housing stock deteriorated; and the streets became litter-strewn and uncared for. Things became so bad that some observers told residents that there was little it could do to improve matters, and that they should move out in search of a better neighbourhood.
Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Development Plan
In 2012 Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Planning Forum (BHNPF) formally applied to BCC to be recognised as the legitimate body to prepare a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) for their area. We publicised the application on this webpage for a 6 week period between the 12th September - 24th October 2012.
Changing how government works in neighbourhoods
As chair of the Labour party's Social Action Forum, I spent last Monday with Labour councillors and community activists in Balsall Heath at the heart of inner-city Birmingham. Many of us as ministers in the last government got to know Dick Atkinson, the driving force behind 30 years of change in the area, not just for his passion to involve local people in running their neighbourhoods but also for his persuasive pressure for funding when times were tough.
Birmingham leads the way on the Big Society
What does the Big Society mean in reality for communities in Birmingham? How can struggling neighbourhoods in need of regeneration engage in the government's new Big Society idea. A published report has hailed two areas in Birmingham as role models in community regeneration.
Balsall Heath Forum History
Balsall Heath was a white working class neighbourhood close to the centre of Birmingham. Its residents lived in back to back terraced houses. But it was a cohesive and strong community. Then the planners got to work, knocked 30% of the houses down, built some high rise blocks and broke up the old community. Many residents moved to outer ring council estates, leaving space for newcomers from the West Indies, Africa and the Indian sub-continent. The newcomers were isolated and lonely. Crime and prostitution spread until by 1980 over 450 prostitutes and 30 pimps dominated the street corners.
10/28/2015
Resounding 'yes' vote for Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Plan
9/07/2015
NOTICE OF REFERENDUM BALSALL HEATH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN AREA
Balsall Heath Neighbourhood Plan
Our Place Pioneers – Balsall Heath Forum

- 21 May 2014 Successful Heart Of Gold awards celebrating 20th anniversary of Streetwatch. Huge turn out with some high profile guests of honour. No longer are residents ashamed to be from B12. Well done to all winners hosted by Abdullah and organised by the BHF.
- 21 May 2014 Phil Bennion MEP spent time in Balsall Heath which was once a no go area because of crime and vice and to see the improvements over the last 20 years. He was accompanied by
- 11 April 2014 Our past dynamic youth awards winner has achieved 3 A* In Joseph Chamberlain College and has been selected to do medicine at Birmingham University. Well done Husnain Ali Abid star of Balsall Heath.
- 8 March 2014 Group of concerned residents tackled the ever increasing rubbish problem in George Street Park. The women led group sent out a message that enough is enough, no more dumping. Well done too all involved and Norah from BHF who organised the initiative and is developing the sisterhood group.
- 4 June 2014 Outdoor celebration of 20th anniversary of Streetwatch continuing from our heart of gold event and saw over 200 people in attendance. Special guests included Chief Supt Alex Murray, Ex Chief Constable Sir Paul Scott Lee and current Chief Constable Chris Sims giving a brilliant speech on the benefits of communities working in co-operation with police. It was also celebrating the 40th anniversary of the formation of the West Midlands police force. There was a great sense of community spirit, and an amazing barbecue to top it all off.
- BHF have set up a Streetwatch group. Volunteers please call 01214466183 for opportunity to join.
- TBA – We are preparing to hold our next communal meal and awards night sometime in August which will see our youth being celebrated for good work in Balsall Heath. See linksto last years Dynamic Youth Awards ceremony.
How David Cameron's 'Big Society' began in Birmingham's Balsall Heath



Balsall Heath: a case study about the process and demands of consultation
Background


- A major consultation event in December 2011, organised by the Prince’s Foundation, and attended by 40 invited participants (for the workshops sessions) and approximately 100 people (at the following public meeting).
- A further consultation meeting was organised by the St Paul’s Community Trust (a local charity) which was attended by over 100 people.
- A series of ‘Children’s Workshops’ took place in January 2012 in each of the five local primary schools, with around 30 children participating.

- Active involvement from Business in the Community
- Links with the BID Partnership and the Police
- Daily contact the BHF staff have with local people and organisations
- The local community newspaper (“The Heathan”), delivered to all households and businesses in the area.

- Put the resources in place to pay for professional help in progressing the writing of the plan document
- Engage early with the local planning department and line up their assistance with plan preparation
- Try to engage early those likely to be involved in the implementation of proposals, especially public bodies who may see their priorities as lying elsewhere
- Be realistic about timescales.
- Park in Balsall Heath; Balsall Heath public baths and free library © Copyright David Stowell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
- Shops on Ladypool Road Balsall Heath © Copyright Row17 and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
- Oldfield Road, Balsall Heath © Copyright Chris Whippet and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence