It is the same New Year’s resolution that residents in one part of Birmingham have made for years – but 2025 might finally be the year that change comes to Gildas Avenue.
The Kings Norton spot has awaited redevelopment for nearly two decades. Families have moved in and moved out and little has changed as time appeared to stand still.
It is the final part of a plan for 1,000 new homes on the former Primrose and Pool Farm Estate. The proposals covers 117 homes at three sites – Barratts Road, Bentmead Grove and Gildas Avenue.
BirminghamLive has visited the site for years but we still found locals in the dark about ongoing progress. Much of Gildas Avenue has already been demolished, while other houses are derelict and have been boarded up.
READ MORE: Last man on Gildas Avenue Q&A: What happened and why?
One longstanding resident, Carl Harris, was pushed out of his home to make way for new housing. The homeowner for 30 years agreed a deal with the council for the purchase of his home after a gruelling 16-year legal battle.
Now Birmingham City Council has issued an update, saying demolition would take place in 2025 after it found a development partner to take the Pool Farm project forward.
Gildas Avenue
(Image: Husna Anjum)
BirminghamLive revisited before Christmas, to ask residents what it’s like living in the land stuck in time. Thomas Shorthouse, 31, of Gildas Avenue, said: “It is quiet and peaceful and I get on with the neighbours, everyone always comes out to say hi.
“I moved here a year ago from Yardley Wood, I hope the development will be nice but we still have no clue what is going on. All this land is being wasted and it could be used for housing, parks or even a mini shopping centre.
“Further up there is some anti-social behaviour but here it is an ‘old people’s’ bit so it’s OK. I want to stay here, my mum lives down the road and I live alone.
“My children sometimes visit me.” When told about the council’s plans Thomas said: “That’s all they ever say, next year.”
Fly-tipping occasionally occurs on Gildas Avenue
(Image: Husna Anjum)
Kathleen Witheridge, 75, of Gildas Avenue, said: “I moved here more than 11 years ago to be near my daughter, it is nice, quiet and peaceful.
“We get on with our neighbours. I think the development can make the place look more respectful as now it’s just a mess.
“But nothing is changing and the last time I heard something was three or four years ago. Some people fly-tip on one street but there is not much anti-social behaviour so it’s been good. We are just fed up because we know nothing.”
Demolition is underway on Hillmeads Road, home to a depressing abandoned building rife with graffiti and broken windows.
Demolition is underway on Hillmeads Road
(Image: Husna Anjum)
Sandra Upton, aged 69 and of Gildas Avenue, said: “I have lived here for more than 30 years and bought this house as it was the only one I could afford.
“It is scary as we don’t know what is happening and sometimes kids throw stones at our windows from the alley. That’s the only anti-social behaviour we see but we keep to ourselves.
“We cannot afford to move, they were going to move us and we had to make a rushed decision. No-one explains anything but we didn’t move in the end.”
When asked her thoughts on the development, she said: “Higgledy-piggledy, I honestly think the whole thing needs redevelopment, not just some houses.”
A council spokesperson said: “The council has recently engaged a development partner to take forward the development project at Pool Farm. This will include the demolition of the properties on Shannon Road which we anticipate will take place in autumn/winter 2025.
“We anticipate consultation with the community on the proposed new development to commence in spring/summer 2025. The current demolition on Hillmeads Road is being completed and the final fencing and levelling off of the site is expected to be completed in January 2025.”