Plans for a new £70 million Longbridge town centre, designed by Cardiff-based architects, Holder Mathias, have received unanimous planning approval.
The town centre will be delivered in three phases, as part of a £1 billion regeneration project which will create over 1,000 jobs.
The Longbridge town centre development will include an 85,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s store, car parking, two acre urban park, 80-bed hotel, 40 apartments and a further 80,000 sq ft of retail space and restaurants. The development will also create new access roads and continued local road improvements as part of the flagship regeneration scheme.
The £66 million Bournville College, which is situated within the town centre site, is nearing the end of its construction programme and will welcome its first students in September this year. The first two office buildings to be completed at the Technology Park are almost fully let, while construction work is underway at Park View, the first residential scheme at Longbridge, which will deliver 115 houses and apartments.
Prior to submission of the detailed planning application for the town centre, there was widespread community support for the development plans, with over 600 people attending the public consultation event. St. Modwen and its partner Advantage West Midlands, welcomed the input of local people, recognising the need for the regeneration to engender a sense of pride in the area.
Steve Hill, project partner at Holder Mathias, said: “We are delighted that the proposals for the first phase of the new town centre at Longbridge have received planning permission – a good news story for the region with national significance.
“The creation of a diverse range of retail, leisure, office and residential space with quality public realm and public open space will continue the regeneration of Longbridge, and the restoration of the area as a thriving innovative community with a positive future.”
