A development agreement for a major regeneration of a Birmingham estate has finally been confirmed.
Berkeley Group’s St Joseph arm was named as the preferred bidder two years ago by Birmingham City Council and, now the agreement is in place, it can move forward with the £2billion regeneration of the Ladywood Estate.
The project is expected to take 20 years to complete and will see the 1960s city-centre estate upgraded for 7,500 new homes, improved transport links, new community facilities and green spaces.
The agreement will see at least 70% of the existing homes either refurbished or rebuilt in one go to minimise disruption for residents. Birmingham City Council has committed to minimising the demolition of existing homes and will try to avoid the compulsory purchase of private homes wherever possible. Out of the new homes, at least 20% will be affordable.
Detailed design work will now start to finalise the plans for the regeneration with construction due to start in 2028. It is anticipated that over the span of the project, as many as 10,000 full-time jobs and 1,000 apprenticeships could be created.
Cllr Sharon Thompson, deputy leader of the council, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver a greener, better-connected Ladywood with new and improved homes for all.”
St Joseph managing director, Stephen Kirwan, said: “Our St Joseph team is hugely proud and excited to be given this opportunity to work on the regeneration of the Ladywood Estate in consultation with the local community and council.”
“At Berkeley Group we fully support the government’s mission to increase housing delivery across the country and this hugely important regeneration project reflects our commitment to delivering good green homes where they are needed most.”
