Another phase of the £1 billion regeneration of Longbridge town centre has been reached after city councillors resolved to grant planning permission for a £35 million retirement village.

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, a Coventry-based retirement village specialist, has bought five acres of land fronting Lickey Road from regeneration group St Modwen to build 260 one- and two-bed apartments in a three- and five-storey building.

Also planned are a new access road and roundabout, undercroft parking and landscaping and the project is expected to create up to 50 jobs and a further 200 roles on site during construction.

The village is one of at least five developments planned for the city as part of a £200 million development programme between The ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Birmingham City Council.

Three of the villages have already opened, most recently a 240-home village on Hagley Road last October, and another is set for Bournville next year.

Mark Curran, development and sales director at The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, said: "This development will further secure Birmingham's position as a leading provider of innovative retirement communities in the UK.

"We are looking forward to moving onto the Longbridge site next year and will be engaging closely with local older people during the village's construction phase.

"Our ambition is to help grow a thriving community that closely matches the needs and aspirations of our future residents and local people in the surrounding neighbourhood."

Mike Murray, senior development surveyor at St. Modwen which is carrying out the regeneration of the town, said: "This decision marks a significant step forward for what will be a very exciting addition to the evolving Longbridge regeneration project.

"The aim of Longbridge is to be an all-inclusive, connected community that provides living, employment and recreational opportunities for people of all ages.

"The ExtraCare village complements this vision and we look forward to construction work starting early next year."

The retirement village was designed by architecture firm Nicol Thomas.