Birmingham City Council has unveiled plans for the construction of a Games Village in Perry Barr, which will include around 1,000 homes and services such as catering areas and transport, to accommodate the 6,500 athletes and officials expected to attend the Commonwealth Games in 2022
Birmingham City Council has unveiled plans for the construction of a Games Village in Perry Barr, which will include around 1,000 homes and services such as catering areas and transport, to accommodate the 6,500 athletes and officials expected to attend the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
The Council said the area would become a “catalyst” for other projects, including the construction of up to 3,000 homes.
Following the Games, the accommodation, which will be a mix of town houses and apartments, will be converted into homes for rent and sale, including affordable and social housing.
Birmingham was selected to host the Games in December 2017 and is expected to put on the sporting event at a cost of £750 million – the most expensive sports event to be held in Britain since the Olympics in London in 2012.
Leader of the Labour council, Ian Ward, said that the development of the village would help to rejuvenate the urban area and create a lasting legacy for its residents.
Perry Barr Councillor Jon Hunt said it was crucial for the Games to deliver something to the area, which has faced problems in employment, housing and poverty.
A public meeting was held on February 15 to discuss the event with local residents.
Councillor Hunt added: “It is important we work together with the organisers to secure the legacy we deserve at a grassroots level.
“Perry Barr will be hosting thousands of people from all over the world for the Games.
“We want it to be a warm Brummie welcome.”
Council leader Ian Ward stated: “We have a desperate need for high-quality housing in the city and it would have been much trickier to meet that demand if we had not been successful in our bid to host the Games.”