Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, Al Carns, has toured new apartments in Bournville that have been developed for families in urgent housing need.

The apartments are within the Beeches, a former conference centre and hotel that had previously been empty since 2020.

Spring Housing Association have re-modelled the inside of the building to create temporary new apartments after agreeing to lease the building from Bournville Village Trust for six years (as of 2024).

The apartments will provide general needs housing, like many social housing tenancies in Bournville, for families trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation. This is because of a shortage of affordable housing in the city.

The building now consists of 21 individual two-and three-bedroom apartments. Each apartment will have its own facilities including a kitchen, bathroom, living space and bedrooms.

The car park will be kept, providing sufficient parking, and the gardens will also be retained.

Al Carns, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, said: “Having had the opportunity to visit The Beeches today and to walk around a couple of flats, I want to say a huge thanks to the teams across Bournville Village Trust and Spring Housing for making this scheme possible and giving families the opportunity to have a sustainable and secure home.

“The work that has gone into bringing an empty building back into use highlights the fantastic cooperation between Bournville Village Trust and Spring Housing to deliver affordable and social housing to some of the families that need it most, and in turn, be a part of the community.”

Raj Shergill, Group Director of Housing and Customer Services at Spring Housing Association, said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Bournville Village Trust to bring the Beeches back into use for families in urgent need.

“This scheme is a response to the growing demand for accommodation in Birmingham and reflects our commitment to providing housing solutions that support families to rebuild their lives. We’re grateful to MP Al Carns for taking the time to visit and see the impact this project will have.”

Arthur Tsang, Director of Communities at Bournville Village Trust, said: “We were pleased to welcome MP Al Carns to the Beeches to tour the building and see the progress of work.

“We remain committed to working with Spring Housing Association, immediate neighbours of the Beeches, the wider community and the Friends of the Beeches group to make this scheme a success.”

Following some delays with building works, apartments are now expected to be completed by mid-autumn with the first families moving in late autumn this year.

All families moving into the Beeches will be registered with Birmingham City Council’s housing waiting list. To be able to join this list, applicants must be aged 18 years or over and have the right to live and/or work in the UK. Asylum seekers are supported by the Home Office and are not owed a duty by Birmingham City Council for this type of housing support.

All families will be assessed by the City Council and Spring Housing Association to determine how urgently they need a home and their suitability for accommodation, in line with Spring Housing Association’s Allocations Policy.

The Friends of the Beeches group is working with Spring Housing Association and Bournville Village Trust to shape how both organisations, and the wider community, can work together to make sure there is a successful transition into the Beeches becoming a home for Birmingham families.

If you are interested in joining the group, please email communityadmin@bvt.org.uk and mark your email ‘Friends of the Beeches enquiry’.

For more information about the Beeches, including answers to frequently asked questions, go to the Beeches page of our website.