When the bulldozers moved in to demolish houses in Hazeldene Road, Sheldon, three neighbours who had been together for more than 50 years were delighted to learn that they were going to remain so when they moved into their new homes.
Working jointly, construction firm Mansell, Focus Housing Association and Birmingham City Council made sure Barbara and John Sheldon, and Molly Allden, stayed together by bulldozing around them, leaving them to stay in their old homes until their new ones were built and ready to move in to.
The neighbours have now moved into their brand new homes just across the road and are delighted that they have been kept together.
Phase Two of the £12 million Radleys Estate housing scheme is now well under way after being awarded to Mansell's Stourbridge-bases Western Region by Focus. Mansell has also just been awarded the third phase.
Mansell Western Region managing director Steve Davies said they took care to ensure that the lifelong friends and neighbours were not split up.
"It is important, with developments on this scale, that we do all we can to ensure stable and sustainable communities rather than just build homes," he said.
Mark Tranter, Focus Housing's head of regeneration, said: "The development will go a long way towards making the Radleys a place where residents are proud to live."
Councillor John Lines, cabinet member for housing, said: "By working in partnership with returning residents and Focus, these new properties confirm that we can deliver modern, attractive energy efficient homes that people aspire to, and rebuild communities that people wish to remain in."
