'Community in turmoil over regeneration plans'
BBCPeople living in a Birmingham estate said they remained "confused" and "isolated" over its £2.2bn regeneration after confirmation that a developer has been appointed.
Residents of Ladywood, told the BBC they were "profoundly concerned" the process had been without "genuine consultation or collaboration" with the community.
The project is thought by the council to be the largest urban development being planned anywhere in the UK. Work to potentially demolish hundreds of homes and redevelop tower blocks could begin in 2028.
Birmingham City Council promised to set up an independent steering group to ensure residents' views form part of a masterplan.
It is believed more than 7,000 new homes would be built, though no official figure has been released.
Ladywood itself is situated close to Birmingham's city centre. The area for redevelopment is mostly inside the city's inner ring road (the A450 Ladywood Middleway) and goes as far as Spring Hill and the Utilita Arena.
George Smith spoke to the BBC on behalf of Ladywood Unite, a group set up by tenants and homeowners in the area.
He said the proposed demolition of homes raises serious questions about the social and emotional impact on families.
"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.
"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."
Hillary Richards, 86, has lived in Ladywood for 55 years. Her first job on the estate was cleaning local homes.
She owns her property with her husband, and they have adapted it to support his disability but said she felt in the dark about whether they will have to move out.
"We have the doctors here, friends, a community. We just don't want to leave, a lot of people feel like that at our age. We are happy here."
Her concerns were echoed by Jackie Falconer, who has lived on the Ladywood estate for 33 years.
"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."
The council said it wanted to keep to a minimum the number of properties being compulsory purchased - but residents were cynical, believing a large number of privately-owned homes would have to be demolished if they were adjoining council properties.
Developer St Joseph, part of the Berkeley Group, has signed a development agreement with the council in which they will ensure at least 70% of existing homes will be "refurbished or re-provided with new homes in a single move on the estate".
They were also committing to 20% of all new homes being "affordable" though the residents group said at current market value, homes would still remain financially inaccessible to many.
Sharon Thompson, the council's deputy leader, said the development would deliver 1,000 apprenticeships and 10,000 full-time jobs.
"I want to reassure the community that this is the beginning of the master planning process, and all residents will be given the opportunity to be fully involved.
''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."
The Ladywood regeneration, which could take 20 years to deliver, is thought by the council to be the largest urban development being planned anywhere in the UK but it comes with a hefty price tag, considering the authority is going through a massive financial shakedown to save hundreds of millions of pounds.
"£2.2bn is a huge amount of money and that money is coming through the developer St Joseph and Berkeley Housing," Thompson said.
"We are going to make sure that also we have those conversations with the West Midlands Combined Authority and talk to Government to see if there's anything else that can be done to add value to the project."
The developer St Joseph has thrown the community an olive branch – helping to provide office and events space for the Ladywood Community Project within a new hub in the former neighbourhood office.
Caron Hallahan, from Ladywood Community Project, said it meant they could continue their work after a worrying period.
"It was important to us to remain in the centre of Ladywood and be a constant, visible presence for anyone who needs help.
"Being based at Botany Walk means we will be here when people need us."
A series of residents forums will be held in Ladywood in the coming weeks as the council develops a masterplan.
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