Ladywood residents fear being priced out in regeneration

Anne-Marie Lodge said she wanted to be able to stay in Ladywood

Homeowners set to be forced out to make way for a £2.2bn regeneration scheme say they are worried they will be priced out of the area.

A total of 2,000 homes are to be demolished in Ladywood, Birmingham, to be replaced by 7,000 new properties.

Birmingham City Council said owners would be offered deals to buy their homes and be compensated.

But resident Anne-Marie Lodge, 52, said moving would still be a financial burden.

Ms Lodge, who has 12 years left on her mortgage, said there had been a "lack of communication" over the plans.

Other residents are mostly council or social housing tenants, with many saying they are worried they will be priced out of the area after the work is complete.

The regeneration of Ladywood is expected to cost £2.2bn

"With regards to moving, I was pretty reluctant," said Ms Lodge, who works as a benefits adviser at the council.

"Looking into it now, I would like to try and fight and stay within the community.

"I have been here 13 years. I would like to try and stay and just live out my final years here instead of moving and starting over fresh again."

Price range

Although the council said it would provide market value for homes, Ms Lodge says she feels it is not "set in stone".

Having looking at properties nearby, she said there was little on the market that would be in her price range.

The council said it would negotiate with homeowners in Ladywood and added the free valuation would ignore the effect of the proposed scheme on the value of homes.

The compensation package, it said, would include a home loss payment, a disturbance payment, which could cover removal costs, special adaptations and reasonable legal and surveyors' fees.

"We know some people are unhappy with the plans for Ladywood regeneration and what that may mean for residents and their homes or businesses," a council spokesperson said.

"We'd like to reassure residents that we are committed to ensuring that as many people as possible who want to remain in the area will be able to do so.

"We hope that residents help us shape Ladywood's future and participate in our ongoing consultation and engagement."