Powering Up Castle Vale is a project to help the local community shape a better future for homes, energy and the neighbourhood. It’s about local choices, lower bills, and lasting change — for you, your household and your neighbourhood.

Castle Vale is one of seven areas chosen by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to take part in its Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme. That means we’ve been selected to show how real change — like warmer homes, lower bills, and more affordable, locally controlled energy — can be planned with residents, not for them.

Rather than doing things to Castle Vale, this work is about listening to what the people who live here want, and building a plan around that. It’s a chance for local voices to set the direction — not just for a few years, but for the long term.

We’ll also be exploring how Castle Vale could develop its own community-owned energy — like solar panels on local buildings — where the power and the benefits stay in the neighbourhood.

Whatever your situation, this is a chance to be heard, to make life better in your own home, and to help shape something that works for the whole area — now and for the future.

This work is about building a real plan for Castle Vale: one that reflects local priorities, helps attract investment, and lays the foundation for long-term improvements.

To do that, we’re focusing on three things:

· Understanding how homes are really performing – by offering free home energy assessments and air quality sensors. This gives us facts about where heat is lost, whether homes are damp or draughty, and what everyday conditions are like — especially in colder months.

· Creating a serious, fundable plan for improvement – based on what people actually need and want. This plan will be shaped by residents and accompanied by research and data that will help us learn where to focus future investment. It could lead to better insulation, more affordable heating, and targeted funding in the future.

· Exploring long-term local solutions – including the possibility of community-owned solar energy, training and job opportunities, or shared upgrades to local buildings. These are things that could deliver benefits for years to come — but only if we get the foundations right now.

The assessments and sensors are part of that foundation. They help us build a plan based on evidence — not assumptions — and make a stronger case for future funding.

Castle Vale has a long history of people coming together to improve the area — from regeneration in the 1990s to community-led initiatives today. It’s a place with strong local identity, a sense of pride, and residents who know what’s needed.

But like many areas, it also faces challenges. Some homes are cold or hard to heat. Energy bills are high. Damp and draughts are a concern for some residents. This project is a chance to tackle those issues head-on — with local people in the lead.

Castle Vale was chosen because it has the energy, partnerships and ambition to show what real, community-led change could look like.

The work is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as part of its Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme.

A team of organisations has been brought together to support Castle Vale — not to sell anything or make a profit. All of them are here because of their experience and commitment to fairness.

Here’s who’s involved:

SHAP – overseeing delivery and making sure residents are kept informed and have opportunities to get invovled. They’re also coordinating the project and ensuring it stays on track.

Places in Common – specialists in community engagement. They’re running the conversations, workshops and drop-ins to help residents shape the plan.

Red Cooperative – experts in home energy performance. They’re carrying out free, independent assessments of how homes are built and how they function.

University of Birmingham – leading the sensor monitoring, and helping turn air quality data into insights about how comfortable, healthy and efficient homes really are.

Birmingham City Council – supporting the work as part of wider efforts to improve housing quality, reduce inequality and promote better health across the city.

No one involved is selling products. If you're ever unsure, ask to see ID or check directly with the Powering Up Castle Vale team.

The project runs until spring 2026. Over the next 6–8 months, we’ll be:

· Offering free home energy assessments in around 50 homes These will help us understand how different types of Castle Vale homes are performing, and what practical improvements could make them warmer and more efficient.

· Installing air quality sensors in some properties over the winter These measure things like temperature and humidity — giving us a more accurate picture of living conditions in colder months, especially around damp, ventilation and comfort.

· Running community events and conversations So residents can share what matters most to them — from energy bills to ideas for neighbourhood improvements — and help shape a plan that reflects real priorities.

· Speaking with local organisations, schools, GPs, and others To make sure we hear from a wide range of people — and connect the work with everyday life across Castle Vale.

· Developing a plan that reflects what Castle Vale needs and wants One that’s strong enough to attract funding — and flexible enough to evolve over time as the neighbourhood’s needs change.

That plan will help secure future investment and guide what happens next — not just for housing, but for energy, community spaces, and more.

There will be lots of ways to take part — from local events and workshops to pop-up stalls and group conversations. You can:

· Share what matters to you and your street

· Help shape priorities for your neighbourhood

· Give feedback on early ideas

· Ask questions or just stay informed

· You’ll see posters and updates across Castle Vale — and everything will also be on the Powering Up Castle Vale website. Check the Events page to see what’s coming up and how you can take part.

· There’s no pressure — but every voice counts, and the more people get involved, the stronger the plan will be.

Powering Up Castle Vale is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Horizon, and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. It is part of the West Midlands Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme, which supports neighbourhood-wide action - from improving homes and exploring greener ways to travel, to making green spaces better, and supporting cleaner, local energy. At the heart of this work is a commitment to working with residents to shape a neighbourhood that’s greener, healthier, and fairer - not just for today, but for the future.