Island life in heart of inner-city
Wasteland turned into traffic-free oasis of green space surrounded by canals
AFORMER urban wasteland has been transformed with the creation of 1,000 new townhouses.
Surrounded on all four sides by the city’s canal network, the residents at Port Loop are truly an island community in the middle of Ladywood.
In a regeneration plan creating a more sustainable and greener way of living – the homes are surrounded by traffic-free green streets, communal gardens, public parks, easy walking routes and playgrounds.
Its historical transport links – the Birmingham canals built in the Industrial Revolution – mean the island is well connected.
The city centre is just a 15-minute walk away.
After the first residents moved in in August 2019, there are now 105 homeowners living on the complex.
However, properties do not come cheap with one town house priced from £420,000.
There is also a community hub, commercial office space, a new leisure centre and a swimming pool for residents to use.
One office is used by the YARD – a Ladywood-based art house project that provides a creative space for local artists and others – hosting residencies, exhibitions, events and activities for the local community.
Grace Barrington, communications lead at YARD, said: “It’s great to be in Ladywood, running our public programme where we offer weekly free activities centred around food, wellness, creativity and joy.
“As Ladywood has been historically neglected in terms of cultural investment, it’s important that we’re here, bringing resources to and nurturing the imaginations of our local community.
“We’re trying to build community at YARD, and through this have connected with lots of Port Loop residents who have been able to enjoy and make use of the space.”
There are now plans to create ‘Tubeworks’, which will include a coffee shop, co-working space, parcel delivery hub, bike repair shop, rehearsal spaces, workshops, kitchens,
markets, creche, bakery and micro-brewery.
Port Loop is still in development and has been funded by various investments from The West Midlands Combined Authority to Homes England.
Koji, a resident living with his family in a townhouse there, said: “My daughter loves the communal garden and the amount of greenery there is.
“I used to live in the city centre, which was convenient but we didn’t have parks so now we have those green spaces.
“There is a great sense of community within the area and we share ideas with one another through our Whatsapp group. We care for each other.”
Dan and Adam, who live at Port Loop, said: “The thing we love about the shared gardens is the fact that there’s so little maintenance.
“For me, I enjoy growing my plants and vegetables on my balcony and terrace.
“We’re all really sociable at Port Loop and during the summer, we’d be out in the garden most days, chatting to everyone, having a drink and even taking part in group fitness classes and cinema nights.
“This connection with our neighbours has been even more important this year.
“It’s been great to have people to chat to during lockdown and know that there’s such a strong community if we ever need anything.”