Learning from Castle Vale: A Regeneration Story That Inspires
17 August 2025
I was struck by the sense of pride and possibility. It’s a place that defies its historical statistics and tells a story of resilience, partnership, and hope.
I recently had the privilege of visiting Castle Vale Estate in Birmingham, hosted by The Pioneer Group, as part of PlaceShapers Year of Learning.
I made the trip in my capacity as Chair of the Board at Community Gateway Association, keen to learn from one of the UK’s most celebrated examples of estate regeneration. What I found was a community transformed—not just physically, but socially, economically, and emotionally.
Castle Vale’s story is one of bold vision and long-term commitment. Once one of Birmingham’s most deprived areas, the estate underwent a radical transformation in the late 80s and 90s. But what makes Castle Vale stand out isn’t just the scale of the regeneration - it’s the depth of the legacy it left behind.
The Pioneer Group, which emerged from the original Castle Vale Community Housing Trust, continues to steward that legacy with a clear focus on place-shaping and community empowerment.
Key Measures of Regeneration
The regeneration of Castle Vale wasn’t just about bricks and mortar. Yes, the tower blocks came down and new homes went up, but the strategy went far beyond housing. Over the years, The Pioneer Group and its partners invested in:
- Health and education infrastructure and green space development, recognising that wellbeing and opportunity are central to sustainable communities.
- Community governance, with structures that gave residents real influence over decisions.
- Economic development, including employment support and efforts to improve connectivity—like the current campaign to bring a train station to the area.
The Football Stadium: A Community Anchor
A standout example of Pioneer’s commitment is the Castle Vale Football Stadium. When the local authority considered closing it in 2013, Pioneer stepped in, securing a 25-year lease and investing nearly £1 million to revitalise the site. Today, the stadium boasts a FIFA-accredited 3G pitch, multiple grass pitches, and a refurbished function room. It’s home to over a dozen football clubs and hosts everything from walking football to youth academies.
This isn’t just about sport - it’s about health, inclusion, and pride. The stadium is a living example of how housing associations can think beyond housing to support holistic community wellbeing.
PlaceShapers from all over the country at Castle Vale Sadium
The Sanctuary: Heart of the Estate
Equally impressive is The Sanctuary, a vibrant community hub. Located in the centre of the estate, The Sanctuary offers everything from youth services and digital skills training, to health and wellbeing programmes. It’s also a designated “warm space,” welcoming residents for a chat, a cuppa, or simply a place to feel safe and connected.
The Sanctuary is more than a building - it’s a symbol of what happens when regeneration is rooted in compassion and community voice.
Lessons for PlaceShaper Members
Castle Vale reminds us that regeneration is not a one-off project - it’s a long-term relationship. Pioneer’s success lies in its willingness to stay, listen, and adapt. “We listen, we learn, we act.” For housing associations considering their own regeneration schemes, here are a few take-aways:
- Think beyond housing: Invest in health, education, and employment.
- Empower communities: Build governance structures that give residents multiple channels to offer their voice, compliment as well as complain, and influence changes that make a real difference community-wide.
- Successful regeneration depends on community democracy, with tenant and resident engagement in both planning and delivery.
- Protect and repurpose assets: Community spaces like stadiums and hubs can be powerful tools for cohesion.
- Commit for the long haul: Regeneration is a marathon, not a sprint.
As I walked through Castle Vale, I was struck by the sense of pride and possibility. It’s a place that defies its historical statistics and tells a story of resilience, partnership, and hope. I left inspired - and I hope this reflection encourages other PlaceShapers to explore what’s possible when we put community at the heart of regeneration.
Francis Burrows and Phil Parramore at The Sanctuary
A heartfelt thank you to Chief Executive Simon Wilson, Chair Francis Burrows and all the staff at The Pioneer Housing for arranging such an inspirational visit. Your passion, hospitality, and commitment to community transformation were truly uplifting.
I was also grateful for the wealth of networking opportunities with other place-shaping organisations from across the country - sharing ideas, challenges, and solutions that will help us all shape better places and better futures.