St. Modwen Properties, the UK's leading regeneration specialist, has announced that it has submitted a detailed planning application to develop the town centre at Longbridge and separately acquired two plots of land comprising 68 acres in the West Midlands and Derbyshire.

St. Modwen and its partner Advantage West Midlands have submitted a detailed planning application to Birmingham City Council to develop the £70 million Longbridge town centre – a major mixed use element of this flagship regeneration project.

The application proposes an 85,000 sq ft foodstore, 80,000 sq ft of additional retail space and restaurants. It also includes plans for an hotel and 40 apartments, together with the newly created two acre Austin Park which, if approved, will lead to the opening up of the river Rea for the first time in 100 years. The proposals also comprise car parking provision, arrangements for access roads into the new town centre and continued local road improvements. The scheme is generating significant interest with national retailers and negotiations are well advanced for the sale of the foodstore and with pre-lettings of the retail space and hotel. Therefore, subject to the receipt of planning, a construction start is expected this summer.

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Once complete, the town centre will establish a new heart for the community and a focal point for the overall £1 billion regeneration of the former MG Rover works at Longbridge. The project will provide an important economic boost to the area and create a diverse range of employment opportunities, potentially creating over 600 jobs. The £66 million Bournville College, which is situated within the proposed town centre, is already under construction and will welcome its first students in September 2011.

St. Modwen has also further strengthened its Hopper of long term strategic land with the acquisition of two sites from UK Coal for a total consideration of £0.4 million. The first site comprises 60 acres at Pelsall in Walsall while the second consists of eight acres of land at Castle Gresley in Derbyshire. St. Modwen intends to use its in-house skills and expertise to progress the sites through the planning process.

Bill Oliver, Chief Executive of St. Modwen, said: "The submission of a planning application for the new town centre at Longbridge is a major milestone in the evolution of this project. It underlines our expertise in taking on large scale regeneration projects and provides a clear indication that 2011 will be one of the most active years yet for this important scheme."

(CD/GK)