The firm behind the £1 billion regeneration of a Birmingham suburb has submitted plans for the second phase of its town centre development.
St. Modwen has sought planning permission for a 135,000 sq ft anchor shop, a 400 space decked car park and a 300 space car park in Longbridge, which the firm said will create up to 200 jobs.
Proposals include the reconfiguration of 45,000 sq ft of retail space which has already been granted planning consent.
The plans seek to build on the first phase of the town centre which will open in 2013 with an 85,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s, a 75 bedroom Premier Inn and Beefeater Grill, the £2 million two acre Austin Park, shops, two office buildings, cafes, bars and restaurants.
Mike Murrray, senior development surveyor for St. Modwen, said: “More than 80 per cent of the retail units in the first phase have been pre-let or are under offer and demand is equally strong at the Longbridge Technology Park and the Park View housing development.
“Next year’s opening of the first phase of the town centre will bring investment at Longbridge up to £250 million.
“This investment has already created 1,160 permanent jobs through the development of the Technology Park, Cofton Centre, and the £66 million new Bournville College which opened last September.”
Seventy five per cent of new homes at the nearby St. Modwen Homes’ Park View development are already sold and the £5 million The Factory youth centre has been completed.
The regeneration of Longbridge aims to create 10,000 jobs, 2,000 new homes, a new town centre, parks and public open space.
Plans for the next phase of the town centre went out to public consultation in June, when St Modwen said there was strong support for the proposals.
