Future of Longbridge takes shape

May 21 2008 By Paul Dale, Public Affairs Editor

Longbridge has taken a major step towards shaking off the shackles of MG Rover’s collapse with the submission of four major planning applications to deliver a new town centre, housing and industry on land once occupied by Birmingham’s biggest car producer.

Regeneration specialists St Modwen and Regional Development Agency Advantage West Midlands unveiled proposals yesterday for a £750 million transformation of a 468-acre site, pledging that the 15-year project would be driven by the principles of sustainability and inclusiveness.

The mixed-use scheme, drawn up following close consultation with Birmingham City Council, Worcestershire County Council, Bromsgrove District Council and local people, will eventually create 10,000 jobs and is one of the largest redevelopment packages to come before planners.

If the applications are approved, the new-look Longbridge will consist of:
1.8 million sq ft of employment land.
New town centre off the A38 Bristol Road South with a range of retail, leisure and public facilities.
Almost 2,000 new homes.
Three new parks and the opening up of "hidden" rivers Rea and Arrow.

The wide-ranging scheme is the latest stage of the joint councils’ strategy to cope with the fall out from the collapse of MG Rover three years ago, which resulted in the loss of more than 6,000 jobs in an area already plagued by high unemployment and poor housing.

The first phase of the £100 million Longbridge Technology Park was completed last summer, along with an Innovation Centre which is already over 70 per cent let and home to 27 small firms.

Bill Oliver, chief executive of St Modwen, said: "Longbridge is a site with a world-renowned heritage and today we have moved this area of the Midlands into a new and incredibly exciting era.

"The potential Longbridge has to become a thriving economic hub and a sustainable new residential community is now apparent, and is more than matched by the vision and confidence St Modwen and Advantage West Midlands have in Longbridge as we enter this new chapter in its history."

Mr Oliver said landmark architecture would help to build a sense of place for the new town and act as a beacon for people entering and leaving the area.

Landscaping and public realm will create distinctive routes and spaces and will provide focal areas for recreation and community activities.

The new town centre and housing is to be built around 11 acres of dedicated public open space, to be known as Arrow Park.

There will be a new learning quarter on the site earmarked for the town centre, anchored by Bournville College which announced earlier this year that it will relocate to a new purpose-built £84 million educational facility at Longbridge in 2011.

St Modwen is promising Longbridge will be an "exemplar of sustainability".

All new residential properties are expected to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level Four as a minimum and it is envisaged that office buildings will achieve BREEAM ’excellent’ standards.

Advantage West Midlands chief executive Mick Laverty said: "Today represents a major milestone for Longbridge. Having consulted with the local community over recent years, all parties involved in taking the project to its present stage are acutely aware that there is a real sense of expectation and hope around a brighter future for Longbridge.

"The submission of four major planning applications provides a clear statement of intent, showing the scale and ambition of what Advantage West Midlands and St Modwen expect to deliver over the next 15 years, and highlighting the level of our commitment and continued investment into Longbridge."

Local MP Richard Burden (Lab Northfield), said: "In setting out their vision for the transformation of Longbridge, I welcome St Modwen and Advantage West Midlands’ emphasis on their long term commitment to the delivery of a mixed use scheme that is a model of sustainable regeneration for the benefit of the local community, the region and beyond.

"I look forward to seeing these planning applications and discussing the details of what is being proposed so that the regeneration of this area can be as successful as possible."

Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby described Longbridge as a project of national importance.

Coun Whitby (Con Harborne) added: "The sensitively-placed emphasis on putting the heart back in the local community is absolutely the right approach to putting Longbridge back on the map as a place where people want to live, work, visit and invest."