Stirchley Co-operative Development (SCD) is a community-led housing and mixed-use project in Stirchley, south Birmingham, developed by a group of local housing and worker co-operatives. 12 It was established in 2016 in response to concern that rising housing and commercial rents were making it harder for residents to remain in the area and for local co-operative businesses to continue operating. 12
The development is on Pershore Road, at the corner of Hunts Road. 4 Its plans combine 39 homes with premises for three local worker co-operatives: Birmingham Bike Foundry, Loaf Bakery & Cookery School, and Artefact Projects. 49 The project’s stated aim is to provide affordable housing and secure workspace while keeping the homes and business premises under community co-operative stewardship. 29
Birmingham City Council is identified as the case study’s lead member, while SCD is the project’s developer. 29 GreenSquareAccord, a housing association, is a development partner; the case study records planning approval in 2021, land purchase in August 2022 and construction starting in June 2023. 14 The case study names Sean Farmelo as a contact for SCD and Karolina Medwecka as Birmingham City Council’s East Birmingham Programme Development Manager. 1
The project brings together housing, commercial space and local co-operative activity in one development. Its origins lie in collaboration between local housing and worker co-operatives, rather than a conventional commercial development model. 12