Yahoo News 'I don't want to lose my home' Ladywood begs for someone to listen amid regeneration plans
Ladywood residents gathered again to protest regeneration plans that will see their beloved homes demolished. Residents and members of Ladywood Unite met outside Ladywood Methodist Church waving placards in a demonstration against plans which would transform the area.
The flash protest on Friday evening (June 14) saw locals argue against the Ladywood Estate Regeneration Scheme which will see over 20 years of housing regeneration. Plans include refurbished tower blocks, more play areas and parks, community facilities and improved walking and cycling routes.
Seven existing tower blocks will be refurbished and new apartments created, meanwhile surrounding homes will be knocked down to make way for new apartments and houses. The council has teamed up with luxury developer Berkeley Homes to redevelop the entire estate, including 1960s built maisonettes, tower blocks and homes less than three decades old, in a £2.2 billion scheme.
Read more: Ladywood residents hit with £5,000 legal bill for 'daring to challenge' council demolition plans
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But homeowners criticised the consultation process and slammed the idea of losing their homes. Laura Kudurna, 39, a longstanding critic of the plans said: "I am very concerned for the 6,000 people living in the regeneration zone.
"I have watched them try to approach our Labour Councillors and MP for almost a year, I have seen very little support. It is very sad to see and as a result, there are independent parties starting to gain prominence in the area.
"I hope the people in charge after the election will do something about the people inside the Ladywood regeneration zone. The government are going to take my freehold home to build luxury flats, my neighbour lost £20,000 on the sale of their home.
"People cannot move or have to take a significant cut in income, some could not retire and have extraordinary mental health problems. We need support, it is awful and I feel sad as I don't want to lose my home."
Laura claims she has repeatedly emailed and contacted Ladywood MP Shabana Mahmood who she admits has stepped in sometimes, but feels this has quietened down recently. There is repeated frustration with the Labour party voiced by residents.
Robert Foster, whose house is within the regeneration zone, said: "There are a lot of people who have their own properties. I have had meetings with Birmingham City Council, MPs and I have paid my mortgage, I now have to move then come back and pay a mortgage on another property.
"How would you feel if you already paid a mortgage to take another one? They said just get shared ownership and I think what's the point of that?
"They want to knock the house down, I have to move away for two years, come back and get somewhere more expensive and get a mortgage again. That's the situation I am in. If my property needed redevelopment I can understand, but I am not happy about this."
A map of the development zone edged with a red line has been distributed among residents. Work will take place in four phases over 20 years.
George Smith, 69, said: "Residents have not been involved and it is very much Birmingham City Council and developer focussed. As far as I can see it will displace our community and will bring hardship.
"I have lived here for 30 years in a private freehold home in the red zone. We are still in communication with the Council and are waiting for our questions to be answered.
"I cant see how the upcoming elections will make a difference unless we have a change of MP in Ladywood. I would not vote for Labour because we have had very little support."
Cllr John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, previously said: "The delivery of Ladywood Estate Regeneration Scheme is the city’s most significant housing regeneration and redevelopment opportunity and key to the sustainable growth and development of the city. The regeneration of Ladywood Estate will address both social and environmental issues and deliver significant benefits for the local community and wider Birmingham economy."
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