Birmingham homes at-risk following £2.2bn regeneration project

A local authority in Birmingham has made a promise to work closely with residents in an area that has been earmarked for a regeneration scheme.

The Ladywood estate in Birmingham has marked for the regeneration project which is set to cost around £2.2bn. The scheme would see almost 2,000 homes destroyed to make room for 7,000 new ones.

Properties within the area stretching from the Utilita Arena to Ladywood Middleway could be axed under compulsory purchase orders.

Although the homes that could be destroyed will provide new ones, residents in the area have flagged uncertainty over the proposed plans.

Laura Kudrna, of the group Ladywood Unites, which was a group formed in response to the scheme, said people had been left unsure about their futures. She told the BBC: ‘Over 2,000 people are affected by this, and they just don’t know what’s going to happen next.’

Along the lines of being unsure about the plans, Laura added that many people who lived in the area had to find out about the scheme through media articles.

Laura said: ‘We weren’t informed. It’s not as if the council sent us letters saying that our homes are at risk of a compulsory purchase order – instead we had to find out from the news.

‘We need to make sure that Ladywood has a good, and the best deal for it.’

Against this backdrop, Birmingham City Council cabinet member for housing, Jayne Francis, said the council had apologised for previously hosting a meeting when dozens of locals were unable to attend and voice their opinions on the proposed regeneration plans.

Cllr Francis said: ‘We’re going to be much more systematic about who we consult with to make sure everyone in Ladywood can have their input into the process.’

In addition, Cllr Francis added that the plans have yet to be signed off, claiming the aim was to create a ‘different type of neighbourhood with improved community and health facilities.’

Consultation for the plans is due to commence in September and Cllr Francis has promised that ‘no-one is going to be turfed out of their house’.

Image: Danilo D’Agostino