What can I do?

If you have found out your home or business is at risk of a compulsory purchase order (CPO), this can be upsetting. There are many things that will happen before a CPO is issued and we understand that we are still several years away from this. First, the council and developers say they will create groups of people to talk to us individually about our diverse circumstances (such as owners, renters, private, council, flats, houses). Second, voluntary negotiations to move will take place. As a last resort, compulsory purchase powers will be used.

Tell your neighbours. The council has not yet fully informed most people in Ladywood about what is happening. Knock on doors, send emails, texts, and stop people in the area to ask them if they know about the regeneration. Ask them to join the whatsapp group or email list.

Attend the upcoming meetings. We can drop in to see our Councillors and there is a meeting at Ladywood Health and Community Centre on Wednesday 26 July 3-4pm (St Vincent Street West, B16 8RP). ***this meeting is now cancelled by the council***

Educate yourself. There are many guides to CPOs and regeneration. You can speak with a surveyor (who give professional property advice) for free because your property is at risk of a CPO. Read the consumer guides to compulsory purchase.

Protest. You can create petitions, online groups, write letters to the council and developers, post on social media, write letters to the press, and write to our MP. Create art about how you are feeling and what our community means to us, and show it publicly – online in social media like Youtube, in your windows, music through your car’s speakers.

Join our mailing lists. Join the Ladywood Unite mailing lists to connect with others and find people who have similar concerns to you. Work together to address your concerns.

Create a small group to meet. Nobody is in charge of Ladywood Unite so it is up to us to create our own small groups and decide what actions we want take. There are too many of us to all decide together what actions we should take. Join or form a small group of people who share your concerns and tell others about what you are doing.

Any other ideas? Comment below!