"There's nothing wrong with our neighbourhood"

Speaking on the confirmation by Birmingham City Council today (30 April 2025) that the partnership agreement between the Council and Berkeley Group (via St Joseph) for the Ladywood Regeneration scheme has been signed, Lee Dargue, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Ladywood, said:

“After years of worry and uncertainty for the residents and businesses affected by this scheme, the signing of the contract between the Council and developer moves us all into a new phase.

 “There are many open wounds from the issues surrounding the previous so-called consultations held by the Council on the regeneration scheme. St Jospeh have claimed they will consult – this will need action in an honest and fulsome manner to be believed.

“As a pro-build supporter, I find the seeming total lack of social homes is unacceptable, as is demolishing perfectly good homes. “Affordable housing” is still out of the reach of many, so there is still deep concern that this scheme is to remake the area to the satisfaction of the developer and Council. 

“To quote Housing cabinet member, Cllr Jayne Francis, the Council and developer want a “different type of neighbourhood” in Ladywood. I stand with the people of the area in saying that there is nothing wrong with our neighbourhood.

“Any consultation must be genuine, not sham public meetings with a few people. There must also be a guarantee of a right to return to equal housing of any new build, a move away from CPOs which would demolish good housing, and justice and safety for the residents of the tower blocks in the area.”