The new town centre is the focal point of a wider £1bn regeneration of the former MG Rover works.
Longbridge town centre will be delivered in three phases, with an 85,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s store(50,000 sq ft net sales area), car park, two acre urban park and elements of the new high street delivered in the first phase. Phases two and three will comprise an 80-bed hotel, 40 apartments, further retail space and car parking, with a total of 80,000 sq ft of retail space and restaurants being delivered in addition to the Sainsbury’s store.
The new two acre Austin Park will lead to the opening up of the river Rea for the first time in 100 years. The Longbridge town centre development will also create new access roads and continued local road improvements for the £1bn flagship regeneration scheme.
St. Modwen chief executive Bill Oliver said: “We are delighted to have received planning permission for the new town centre at Longbridge. With Sainsbury’s already signed up to take the foodstore and many discussions taking place with other potential retailers and occupiers, we will now look to commence construction of the first phase before the end of the year.”
Elsewhere on the Longbridge site, construction of the £66m Bournville College is nearing completion and will open in September 2011. Elsewhere at Longbridge, the first two office buildings to be completed at the Technology Park are virtually fully let. Construction is also underway at Park View, the first new residential scheme at Longbridge, that will deliver 115 houses and apartments. A planning application is currently being prepared for up to 750 homes and a new park at Longbridge East.
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