Hundreds of Birmingham residents who are to be moved from their homes over the coming years due to council regeneration projects will be given an 'option to return'.

The city council's cabinet approved an 'overarching' policy yesterday (Tuesday).

People affected by the forthcoming £43m revamp scheme in Druids Heath will be the first to benefit, it was announced.

Tower blocks on Birmingham's Druids Heath estate.

It is estimated around 1,500 homes in the city are to be cleared over the next ten years as part of the 10-year plan from Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust - the council's housing arm.

The policy only provides 'principles' and the detailed agreements with tenants will be laid out in separate Local Lettings Plans for each regeneration project that comes forward.

It will also apply to people who own their properties but are subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order from the council.

The policy has broadly been given a cautious welcome but has also prompted questions around how it will be implemented.

Cllr Rob Alden, leader of the Conservative group, has been among those calling for it.

He has previously argued that residents who wanted to stay in the Abbeyfields area of his Erdington ward, were denied.

Cllr Alden said: "I do welcome it. I have slight concerns around whether it will work.

"I'm concerned there are a lot of caveats the council has placed on it.

"Everyone asked for a 'right to return' policy and it's already been watered down to an 'option to return' which rather suggests there's a slightly different feeling being put behind it.

"I hope I'm proven wrong and that it's just a name."

Coun Sharon Thompson outside Carole Gething House, a St Basil's housing project

Homes and neighbourhoods boss Cllr Sharon Thompson responded saying there will always be some specific scenarios that have to be dealt with on a 'case by case basis'.

She added: "This [policy] is a good example of how local people have influenced change in the council and how we do business.

"I know this will be welcomed by a lot of people. It is a more flexible approach."

Cllr Thompson confirmed the policy would not apply retrospectively to previous regeneration schemes but it would apply to Druids Heath after the issue was 'hugely highlighted' on the estate.

Last year the council announced the first phase of a regeneration programme for the area which is the only large council estate not to benefit from major investment since it was built.

The scheme will see five high rises and the former Baverstock Academy buildings demolished while three tower blocks will be retained and refurbished.

The plans have been criticised for resulting in a net loss of 50 homes, although the council said the new properties will be better quality.

Cllr Julien Pritchard. LDRS
Cllr Julien Pritchard. LDRS

Ward councillor Julien Pritchard (Green) reacted to the new policy.

He said: "This is definitely a big step in the right direction.

"However Birmingham City Council should be much bolder.

"The policy won't work if regeneration projects don't build enough homes to rehouse everyone who wants to stay in their communities.

"Having taken the time to listen to residents in my ward, I know that too often regeneration schemes are done to residents rather than with them.

"A stronger, bolder right to return policy would ensure residents are fully involved in the planning of regeneration schemes from the start, ensuring enough new homes for everyone who wants to stay, and are phased so homes are built before residents are rehoused.

"It should be a right to remain as much as a right to return.

"Without this, the risk is that it's a right to return or remain in theory but not in practice, and some residents never get to stay or come back."