UK regeneration specialist St. Modwen Properties and its partner Advantage West Midlands have secured planning permission from the Birmingham city council to develop a £70 mln (EUR 79 mln) town centre at Longbridge.

The new mixed-use scheme - part of the £1 bn flagship regeneration project of the former MG Rover works - will be delivered in three phases. Phase I will comprise an 85,000 sq ft (8,000 m2) Sainsbury's store, car park, two acre urban park and elements of the new high street, whilst Phase II and III will comprise an 80-bed hotel, 40 apartments, 80,000 sq ft of retail space, restaurants and car parking.

The new two acre Austin Park will lead to the opening up of the river Rea for the first time in 100 years.

'Securing approval for the new Longbridge Town Centre is another example of how we continue to create value by progressing our sites through the planning process,' said Bill Oliver, chief executive of St. Modwen. 'It also emphasises the weight and diversity of activity that is taking place across our major long term schemes throughout the UK.'

A 15-year project, the 190-hectare Longbridge site is being transformed by St. Modwen and Advantage West Midlands as part of the £1 bn regeneration of the former MG Rover works, delivering a sustainable community with the creation of 10,000 new jobs and up to 2,000 new homes.