Plans for a new £5 million youth centre at the heart of the Longbridge regeneration project have been given the go-ahead.

The so-called ‘myplace’ centre will be developed by St Modwen in partnership with Birmingham City Council following its approval by the council’s planing committee.

Designed by Birmingham-based Associated Architects, the centre will provide a wide range of services to 14 -19 year olds in the Longbridge area and will be developed with a council-secured grant from the Government’s myplace programme and a Big Lottery Fund scheme to invest in facilities for young people across the UK.

Construction work for the three-storey building is scheduled to commence in May for a year.

Mike Murray, senior development surveyor for St Modwen, said: “It is tremendous news that planning permission is in place for the new Longbridge youth centre.

"The facility will play an important part in the long-term social, cultural and economic improvement of the area, as there is currently no statutory youth provision.

"Providing a safe and welcoming environment, the centre will give young people the opportunity to participate in a range of activities and enterprise programmes, with the space to socialise and enjoy new learning experiences in preparation for their future. In turn it is envisaged that this will have a positive effect on the ongoing growth and future prosperity of Longbridge.”

The regeneration of Longbridge is a £1 billion project covering 468 acres and aspires to a total jobs target of 10,000 for the whole development through a diverse range of industries, together with a 2,000 new homes, a new town centre for Longbridge with a range of retail, leisure and public facilities and new parks and public open spaces.

St Modwen is currently bidding for funding from the Government’s regional growth fund for a grant to provide vital infrastructure work for the regeneration scheme.