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  • Lyndhurst estate
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  • The first phase of the estate was approved in 1958 and was completed by the end of 1960 by Wimpey for Birmingham City Council. Harlech Tower, the tallest tower block on the estate, became the tallest tower block in the city at 16 storeys. However, it was soon to be joined by the tallest tower block on the Primrose estate in the city which was of an equal height. The second phase, which included a single 9 storey tower block with 36 flats was approved in 1959 and constructed by DL.
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  • The first phase of the estate was approved in 1958 and was completed by the end of 1960 by Wimpey for Birmingham City Council. Harlech Tower, the tallest tower block on the estate, became the tallest tower block in the city at 16 storeys. However, it was soon to be joined by the tallest tower block on the Primrose estate in the city which was of an equal height. The second phase, which included a single 9 storey tower block with 36 flats was approved in 1959 and constructed by DL. In 1961, the estate won the Civic Award for housing due to its layout, retention of trees and architectural qualities. Despite this, the estate fell into decline in the 1980s and 1990s, suffering from severe social issues with high levels of crime and unemployment. In 2008 the Lyndhurst estate was used for its scenery in the BBC drama 'Survivors'. The estate features in the second episode of the second series at approximately 49:00 minutes. Birmingham City Council have started a redevelopment of the estate which has seen the demolition of the maisonette blocks, community facilities and two tower blocks: Burcombe Tower in 2010 and Harlech Tower in late-2011, following the removal of a mobile phone mast from its roof earlier in the year. The remaining tower blocks were refurbished extensively in 2010 and 2011. On the sites of the demolished buildings, new semi-detached homes will be constructed with the Lyndhurst recreation ground being relocated to the centre of the estate, rather than to the side, behind the Harlech Tower site where it currently is. As Lyndhurst is on a high point, sitting on the large Gravelly Hill Ridgeway, its tower blocks can be seen from many miles away, especially now they are illuminated to look like hotels. It is possible to view the estate from the hill in Castle Bromwich , the plains in Wishaw, the northside of Walmley, Barr Beacon, Handsworth, south Aston, Ward End and Bromford.