This report from Social Life, the Centre for the New Midlands and Witton Lodge Community Association focuses on Erdington High Street in north Birmingham. It describes the new Decent Neighbourhood Standard for Erdington High Street - an evidence-based framework for understanding what makes a “decent” neighbourhood.
Read the report summary here
The UK has long had a Decent Homes Standard, but there is no equivalent standard for the wider neighbourhood — despite the critical role neighbourhoods play in shaping health, opportunity, wellbeing and community life.
The Decent Neighbourhood Standard can become a vial tool to implement government policy on neighbourhoods including the Pride in Place programme, reforms to the Decent Homes Standard, Birmingham’s Liveable Neighbourhoods agenda and growing interest in neighbourhood-level governance and community-led regeneration.
The research identifies both the strengths and challenges facing Erdington High Street. Residents and organisations highlighted strong community spirit, diversity and transport connectivity, but also raised deep concerns around anti-social behaviour, crime, environmental decline, poor-quality retail provision and the long-term impact of deprivation.
This follows on from our first report on the development of the Decent Neighbourhood Standard with Witton Lodge in 2025.
