Aston Martin wants to build a major manufacturing site in Sutton Coldfield, the Post can reveal.

The world-famous luxury car firm is understood to be interested in 40 hectares of land at Peddimore, carved out of the green belt.

It is thought to be one of three sites considered by the firm, best known for building James Bond's cars, and would create about 600 jobs and thousands more in the supply chain building a new SUV.

Sources close to the deal claim the car giant is thinking about moving its headquarters to Sutton Coldfield as part of the deal, with its current base in Gaydon, Warwickshire, being somewhat landlocked.

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A source said: "They have been round Peddimore and they love it but there is still a long way to go.

"The council has put a lot of work into a green belt site and they want to be sure to get the right deal."

It is understood that Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell has had a series of meetings with Aston Martin about a proposed move.

He told the Post : "This is an extremely important development for Sutton Coldfield. And they are looking at it with excitement and enthusiasm."

It has been a badly kept secret that Aston has been seeking a new base to manufacture its new DBX crossover.

Comment: We must give green light to build James Bond's cars in Birmingham

Coventry, at the former Jaguar site in Browns Lane, appeared an early front runner and South Wales, Corby and Alabama in the US have also been linked.

Our sister newspaper, the Coventry Telegraph, reported in October it was understood the interest in Coventry had cooled, despite an "attractive package" being offered to lure the car firm.

High-level sources have told the Post that Birmingham is in the driving seat - although it would be a complicated deal and talks are in early stages.

A spokesperson from Aston Martin said it was "pure speculation" at this stage and no decision has been made with several sites, not just in the UK, being investigated.

He said: "Aston Martin continues to assess a number of sites for the production of the new DBX Crossover, both here in the UK and abroad. An announcement on a preferred location will be made in due course."

Pictures: Aston Martin car show

Birmingham City Council sees Peddimore, in Minworth, as a key site to boost employment.

It has been given the go-ahead to release the land, some 80 hectares from the green belt.

David Bailey, professor of industrial strategy at Aston Business School, said Aston Martin would represent a major coup for Birmingham - both in terms of jobs and the PR of building prestige cars.

He said: "I think it would be brilliant for the city to land an iconic manufacturer. To be building James Bond's favourite cars in this city would be a fantastic story."

He added: "We do need to look at the green belt. There is a dire shortage of manufacturing property and land in the Midlands which is why when JLR came knocking on Birmingham City Council's door they had to knock them back.

"We can't afford to miss another opportunity like this. There is the potential for hundreds of jobs, if not a thousand, and far more in the supply chain.

"The site at Gaydon is clearly very constrained and JLR want it. It would make sense to move the headquarters if they could."