Shabana has written to Birmingham City Council regarding the Ladywood regeneration proposals.

Following a meeting with the Deputy Leader, Shabana has set out her requests for the scheme, which will impact over 1,600 households in Ladywood.

The council is understood to be signing a developer agreement with project leads, Berkeley St Joseph, over the coming months.

In her letter, Shabana outlines her requests on affordable homes, community facilities, tower blocks, and much more.

In addition to the letter, Shabana has also sent out a new survey to all households in the proposed regeneration zone, fulfilling an election promise.

Read the letter in full below.

Letter to the Deputy Leader

Dear Deputy Leader

I am writing following our recent meeting to discuss the Ladywood Regeneration scheme.

I was grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Birmingham City Council’s plans for the area. As you will be aware, I have always been clear that any regeneration of Ladywood should not leave the existing community worse off.

I understand that the council will shortly be seeking to finalise a developer agreement with Berkeley St Joseph as commercial partners for the scheme.

Since the regeneration proposals were announced, I have surveyed 1,600 residents who live within the regeneration zone, met with affected residents, and raised the concerns of local people directly with the developers. Before the developer agreement is signed, I wanted to make clear my requests, and those of residents who have been in contact with me since the regeneration proposals were announced.

Council tenants are facing uncertainty, with the prospect that a ‘single move’ strategy would not be able to take place without a 100% reprovision of homes in the first phase of the project. I would welcome a commitment from the council that all BCC tenants will have housing reprovision at the earliest stage of the scheme.

Improving existing accommodation, which will not be rebuilt as part of a regeneration scheme, is essential. As a constituency Member of Parliament, my casework inbox reflects the challenges this council faces when it comes to repairing and maintaining council-owned tower blocks. As the council intend to refurbish the tower blocks in Ladywood as part of the proposals, I would like to see that guarantee realised in the first stage of the scheme.

Ensuring the council is meeting its obligations on affordable housing is critical. Many residents have raised concerns with me that, from what they have seen from initial proposals, the council would be failing to meet its own tests on affordable homes. A firm commitment to 20% affordable homes, and cast iron guarantees that this is a final minimum level not to be negotiated down by developers, should be a priority.

Uncertainty about the project is driving a lot of anxiety my residents are experiencing. The prospect of waiting many years to resettle, sell a property, or find a new home in the scheme is preventing my residents from making future plans. My constituents inform me they have put on hold long-term plans for retirement, to start a family, or to seek employment in the area. I would like to see timelines for the project brought forward, and early engagement with owner-occupiers on their options.

Finally, community spaces and places of worship are an essential part of the social fabric here in Ladywood. Forcing them to relocate outside of the neighbourhood would take away the heart and character out of Ladywood. I want to see a full package of options available for existing faith and community spaces that does not simply treat them as commercial premises, but ensures the continued presence and longevity of their service to our community.

Throughout October, I am re-surveying the over 1,600 households in the regeneration scheme. The survey focuses on general support for the regeneration, as well as the mental health impact on my constituents, in partnership with Ladywood Unite. I am committed to publishing the results in full, and I will ensure a copy is shared with you.

I remind you of my conditional support for the regeneration provided the council does not step over my red lines.

I hope that the council continues with a renewed spirit of transparency and cooperation with residents impacted by the Ladywood regeneration. The council only have one chance to get this right and secure the future of Ladywood for generations to come.

Thank you once again for taking the time to meet me and for listening to the concerns of residents.

Yours sincerely

Shabana Mahmood

Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood