Castle Bromwich is a relatively recent name for this area of the city. For hundreds of years it was known as Berwood. Berwood, or Castle Bromwich, was once a small village on the outskirts of an expanding Birmingham. The land was of poor quality and prone to flooding. During the war years there was an airfield at Castle Bromwich.
Spitfires were manufactured at Castle Bromwich by Vickers, and two shadow factories produced large numbers of aircraft for the armed forces. At their peak, more than 300 new Spitfire units per month were built here. Testing took place on the airfield, which between the wars was also used for a variety of public events. Castle Bromwich was once considered as a possible site for Birmingham Airport.
Castle Vale was also home to the British International Fairs, attracting regular visitors for major trade events and aircraft displays. In 1900 John Dunlop opened a factory in the area and other manufacturing companies followed. Birmingham was now close by, but Castle Vale never developed a heavy industrial skyline and was destined for a different purpose.
As Birmingham continued to expand, housing estates were built at Pype Hayes. Much of the pre-war housing was later replaced with modern homes, though these often lacked individuality. The Castle Vale housing estates largely emerged in the 1960s, when tower blocks were built across the former airfield site.
This 1.5 square mile area of the old airfield and surrounding land became home to more than 10,000 people living in around 5,000 homes.
Over time, living conditions in the tower blocks deteriorated and vandalism became widespread. Many businesses avoided the area and the B35 postcode developed a poor reputation. In more recent years, extensive regeneration has taken place. Tower blocks have been demolished, new homes built and many existing properties refurbished.
The shopping centre was replaced by a retail park, with Sainsbury’s providing much-needed supermarket facilities. While challenges remain, a committed group of residents continues to work to improve the area. Castle Vale Housing Action Trust won the Secretary of State’s Partnership in Regeneration Award in October 2000.
For photographs of Castle Bromwich click here or view them on YouTube.
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