Proposals for a £5 million scheme to create a food hub in the shadow of one of Birmingham's best known suburban landmarks have been submitted to planners.

The project, which is being developed by Cube director Neil Edginton’s Edg Property, promises to restore the Clock Tower building in the heart of Harborne as part of plans for a series of restaurants, a cookery school and apartments around a new courtyard.

The Clock Tower building, which was owned by the council, has been surrounded by scaffolding for more then 18 months because of structural damage and Mr Edginton said he was heartened by the local support that had been shown for their plans.

“It would be fair to say we have been delighted with how everybody, pretty much without exception, has supported the scheme and is pleased about putting a food school back in a building that was originally built as a school in 1891.

“For us it was extremely important that we had the Harbonites on board because we certainly believe this is a fantastic scheme for their area.

“Now we have gone in for planning the fundamental principles remain the same as when we initially announced our proposals and while we have taken comments from the consultation on board, we have been careful not to allow it to be a project designed by committee as what you end up with then is a scheme that nobody likes.”

K4’s Bob Ghosh, who has personally acquired the former headmaster’s house to completely renovate, is the architect on the scheme and said that significant thought had gone into ensuring it was right for one of the city’s smartest suburbs.

“The project will create an exciting new food hub,” he said. “At its centre will be an intimate courtyard where the former playground was once located and a new public space for Harborne Village.”

The scheme will also contain Kitchen – Birmingham’s school for food lovers, as well as residential pads.