Council set to revamp Ladywood as ‘aspirational neighbourhood’

THE crime-hit Birmingham neighbourhood of Ladywood will be the next in line for a multi-million pound housing regeneration, it has been revealed.

The city centre estate, which mainly sits between Broad Street and the Middleway ring road, has not benefited from major investment in nearly three decades.

The estate was largely built in the 1960s and has around 1,000 homes, two-thirds of which are owned by Birmingham City Council.

A cabinet report states that crime, the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour are all higher in Ladywood than the city average. However, it does note there is a ‘strong community neighbourhood.

The estate contains three primary schools but no secondary. However, the intention is to build one using developer funds from the neighbouring Icknield Port Loop scheme.

The area also has two shopping parades but is not served by any direct bus route.

The council report outlining the vision for Ladywood states: “The development of Birmingham Ladywood will transform the residential offer in the city centre. It creates the opportunity to deliver a new high quality, aspirational residential neighbourhood on the doorstep of the city centre core.

“As an exemplar sustainable development, it can make use of

spirit’ in the existing resources such as the canal and provide radically improved connectivity to the surrounding area.”

If the proposal is approved at cabinet, the council will look for developers to enter into a joint venture, similar to the ambitious Peddimore and Smithfield projects. It is not known at this stage what the total cost and value of the redevelopment will be.

The council owns approximately 81 of the 153 acres of land and had considered selling it off but ruled out the option because they would be giving up any influence on the future redevelopment of the area.

But the authority does not have the finances to go it alone which is why they are seeking private sector investment.