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Colourful start for waterside development

10th Aug 2005

The start of new house building by Waterloo Housing Association on derelict land close to the Stratford upon Avon canal in Kings Heath, Birmingham, has been marked with a colourful mural at the site being designed and painted by local school children.

Twenty-five children aged 10 from Allens Croft Primary School worked with local artist Roger Dennis to create the mural which depicts the waterway and other scenes from the local environment.

Waterloo and British Waterways arranged a narrowboat trip for the children to help them discover their local waterway and gain inspiration for their drawings for the mural.

The completed artwork is displayed on hoardings at the Waterside housing development site, where Waterloo is building 124 affordable new homes in partnership with Birmingham City Council and building contractor Mansell.

Many homes will have a waterside frontage, with the development also providing safe access to the Stratford upon Avon Canal for the wider community to enjoy.

To be known as Waterside, the new landmark development by Waterloo will regenerate the canal side area of Dingle Mead - once regarded by local residents as home to the worst housing in the area - with stylish new apartments, houses and bungalows.

Class teacher Karen Spinks commented: “The children really enjoyed the narrowboat trip and helping to design and paint the mural for the community to enjoy.

“The project has helped the children to understand and feel part of the changes in their local environment. It has led us to look at the waterways as a topic in class and to follow with interest the building of the new housing scheme as it helps to further improve the quality of life for local people.”

Last updated: 22/10/2008