The Ladywood regeneration project is a transformational £2.2 billion undertaking. It has led to renewed outrage and local debate since Birmingham City Council last week inked a development agreement with St Joseph, a subsidiary of the Berkeley Group. This hugely ambitious project aims to remake the Ladywood Estate, just minutes from Birmingham’s core, into a vibrant, dense evidence-based community. It does posit critical questions for what happens to today’s residents going forward.
In fact, the city council believes that the Ladywood regeneration will be the biggest urban development that’s ever been proposed in the UK. Even so, the project will take at least 20 years to build out. In the meantime, we’ll continue building 7,000+ new homes. St Joseph is committed to refurbishing or replacing 70% or more of the 320 existing homes on the estate. This commitment is a powerful step toward directly addressing concerns about displacement.
The first stages of this project won’t start until 2028. This work would necessitate demolishing hundreds of homes and redeveloping current tower blocks. The council and developers push modernization efforts as a benefit for the community. Despite these achievements, the hopes of many residents to continue living in the community they restored run deep.
Hillary Richards, an 86-year-old Ladywood resident, has lived in the neighborhood for 55 years. She detailed her personal frustrations with the council’s lack of communication and transparency on the proposed regeneration plans.
“As someone who owns a freehold property, we were not informed about regeneration affecting our properties until 2023 when we found out from local press and a later cabinet report.” – Hillary Richards
Like most residents, James expressed an intense attachment to his home and neighborhood. Longtime resident Jackie Falconer, who has lived in the area for 33 years, expressed fears over anybody changing the ownership model of the community.
“What’s going on in the process of communication between residents of Ladywood and Birmingham City Council is truly shocking and it’s left the whole community in turmoil.”
George Smith, a member of the Ladywood Unite group, lamented much the same. He eloquently expressed his worries about the effect of regeneration on families who have lived in Ladywood for decades.
“I think it’s unfair to purchase a property that is 50% owned by the council.” – Jackie Falconer
The Birmingham City Council now is intent on making affordable housing a central part of their regeneration through inclusionary zoning. They will commit to making 20% of all new homes “affordable.” This initiative seeks to balance development with the needs of existing residents who may struggle with rising living costs.
“My kids have grown up here and this is our community. So just to move me somewhere else and downsize me or tell me that I have to buy a property that’s 50% owned by somebody else, I think it’s unfair.” – George Smith
Sharon Thompson, a spokeswoman for the city council, pointed out the larger goals of the project to the Houston Chronicle.
Beyond housing, maybe even more important—a full one-of-a-kind regeneration at the Mon Valley conversion projects expected to provide tremendous economic benefit. It is projected to provide 1,000 registered apprenticeships and produce an estimated 10,000 community-wide full-time jobs.
“The investment being made is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the regeneration of the Ladywood Estate to make it more sustainable, provide better facilities, better transport links, walking routes, and green spaces.” – Sharon Thompson
In spite of these assurances, residents are still deeply suspicious about the actual implementation of the project and the ways it may disrupt their lives. As plans develop, Birmingham City Council have booked resident forums in Ladywood for the next few weeks. We hope these forums will spark inspiring and provocative conversations. In the interim, the city council will work on producing a detailed masterplan for the area.
Caron Hallahan of the Ladywood Community Project said that they now felt better placed to help residents through this period of change.
Caron Hallahan from the Ladywood Community Project expressed optimism about their ability to support residents during this transitional period.
“Being based at Botany Walk means we will be here when people need us.” – Caron Hallahan
