In the 20th century, the land that is now known as Castle Vale became the site for the first aeroplane take-off in Birmingham which led to a long aviation history being associated with the area.
Castle Bromwich Aerodrome was established on the site and operated from 1914 to 1960, being a major airfield in both World Wars. At the end of World War II, one third of housing within Birmingham was declared unfit for habitation and a major construction programme saw new homes and high rises built on the Aerodrome site.
Despite its rich aviation history, the area became infamous around the 1970’s as its homes suffered from poor construction and maintenance, social deprivation and high levels of crime.
Developing the Housing Action Trust
December 1991, Michael Heseltine announced to Parliament that Castle Vale had become the latest candidate for Housing Action Trust status.
The Housing Action Trust, locally known as “The HAT”, was given a 12-year objective to regenerate Castle Vale.
Formally established on 30 June 1993 Castle Vale Housing Action Trust successfully led the regeneration of Castle Vale. While the physical changes were most noticeable, they also achieved significant improvements to the overall health, economic situation, social lives and educational attainment of estate residents, as well as a reduction in crime rates.
Following its twelve-year tenure, the trust needed to find ways of maintaining their work after it was disestablished.
Castle Vale Community Housing Association (CVCHA) was established in 1997. The Housing Association began managing the homes that were developed by the HAT’s housing association partners.
A landlord ballot in October 2003 found that 98% of residents wanted to be transferred to CVCHA following CVHAT’s disestablishment, with the remaining 2% returning to Birmingham City Council’s management.
Castle Vale Community Housing Association was later known as Castle Vale Community Housing.