A former industrial site in east Birmingham which has been vacant for more than seven years looks set to be re-born as a housing estate aimed at families.
Shropshire-based developer Bovale lodged plans last year to build 122 houses and apartments on the former home of medical product manufacturing group Smith & Nephew in Alum Rock Road.
The 8.3-acre plot previously contained a variety of large industrial buildings, parking and yard areas but was cleared in 2007 and has been vacant ever since.
Bovale's development is aimed firmly at families as there will be 98 houses, all with at least four bedrooms, and 24 two-bedroom flats.
Officers at Birmingham City Council have recommended the application be approved when its planning committee meets on Thursday.
A report prepared ahead of the meeting says Bovale has offered a £200,000 fee, known as a Section 106 Agreement, towards education provision (£150,000) and enhancements to open space (£50,000).
Bovale had previusly stated that any Section 106 Agreement could have rendered the entire scheme financially non-viable before coming to this figure.
This latest project follows on from the news earlier this week that housebuilding group Persimmon was poised to buy the former Selly Oak Hospital site to develop more than 600 houses.
The report said: "The proposed layout would be acceptable in principle and the proposed accesses would have no detrimental impact on adjoining highways.
"A financial contribution of £200,000 is offered towards improved education and open space provision within the Washwood Heath and/or Hodge Hill Wards.
"Although this offer is below that normally expected for such a scheme, it is considered the offer is fair and reasonable.
"Housing Strategy have acknowledge this and have stated that, even without a financial contribution, the large family accommodation would help to meet the demand for family homes within this part of the city and there is a reasonable supply of affordable housing nearby."
Planning permission was granted in 2011 to build up to 110 houses alongside three business units and a nursery on the site and Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne has previously campaigned for a school to be built there.
