Regeneration project creates a village green at the centre of Ley Hill housing estate near Bartley Green

Feb 4 2009 by Jane Tyler, Birmingham Mail

They have created a “village green” in the middle of a previously rundown housing estate.

Ley Hill, near Bartley Green, has been transformed over the past five years and is now an award-winning urban village.

The new village green boasts footpaths, seating, trees, railings and entrances. There are even old-fashioned drystone walls.

It is next to the newly-built Holloway Hall community centre and children’s play area.

Work began last September and has now been completed.

The green was designed by The Landscape Practice Group, part of Birmingham City Council – Parks and Nature Conservation.

An opening event will be held in early spring to which residents will be invited.

The green provides views over the surrounding areas and will provide a new link with the public footpath to Bartley Reservoir.

Birmingham Construction Partnership carried out the building work, which also included refurbishments in Ley Hill Park to improve play facilities, resurface the car park and also extend the car park at Holloway Hall.

The £1million cost of the play area and village green was funded by selling housing land and Section 106 agreement planning money.

Other recent work to the park includes the creation of six wood sculptures by a local woodcarver, designed in conjunction with children at the Holloway Hall Summer Play scheme.

Remaining funds will be spent on further improvements across the park, including a new network of footpaths, entrance and boundary improvements, creating a wetland conservation area, planting trees and providing seats and litter bins.

The green is in the middle of the new housing estate which has been revamped to provide a mix of affordable homes, council properties and privately-owned houses.

Coun Bruce Lines (Con, Bartley Green) is chairman of the Ley Hill Steering Group which has overseen the entire project.

He said: “This village green is something to drool over.

“It has been a long hard slog to get Ley Hill off the ground but this village green is the end-result and it’s been well worth it.

“It has come out better than we expected and is something local families can use during the summer.” Coun Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, also praised the new green.

“The Landscape Practice Group has done excellent work,” he said.

“I am sure local people will enjoy the new village green and that it will become a key part of the community.”