Outline planning approval has been granted for a high-profile regeneration scheme in Birmingham, which will see more than 1,000 homes created and development of the wider area.

The application for the Icknield Port Loop site near Edgbaston Reservoir was submitted by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and the Canals and Rivers Trust (formerly British Waterways), who are joint landowners along with Birmingham City council.

Plans for the former industrial 22.5-hectare site include a new canal-side community complete with homes, a park, a ten storey hotel, superstore and other facilities. It forms part of the HCA’s Economic Assets Programme, with the site having transferred to HCA from Advantage West Midlands.

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David Rhead, Area Manager for the HCA, said: "It's great news that outline consent has been granted and the partners can now forge ahead on working up plans in more detail for the early development phases.

"This site forms a major part of Birmingham’s housing growth ambitions, creating a new urban community on the western edge of the city core. The aspiration is for family homes as well as apartment living in order to create a sustainable environment with high quality facilities."

The proposals include plans to redevelop a former stables block to become a community building and there will be improvements to the canal side environment including a new park.

The site as it stands includes various industrial premises, the majority of which are vacant. Work on site is set to begin in 2014 following appointment of a development partner.

(CD/GK)