The first £6.5 million phase of the redevelopment of the Cofton Centre at Longbridge is nearing completion with the release of two units developed by Birmingham-based St Modwen.

The two new industrial units are the first to be delivered as part of the landmark £23 million redevelopment of the former 35-acre car-storage site and are available on a freehold basis.

The self contained and secure estate forms an integral part of the wider 468-acre, £750 million Longbridge regeneration project.

Complementing the two existing units on site, the two new additions offer almost 75,000 sq ft of modern commercial space.

Unit three is a 27,093 sq ft self contained site which includes 1,335 sq ft of fully-fitted offices, three ground level loading doors and a six-metre clear internal height.

The larger neighbouring building, unit four, is a 47,780 sq ft self contained site featuring 2,500 sq ft of fully-fitted offices, four ground level loading doors with the ability to create four dock level loading doors and a clear internal height of eight metres.

The two units, due for completion in May, are both rated BREEAM 'very good' and feature external facades designed to an extremely high level.

Mike Murray, senior development manager for St Modwen, said: "The impending completion of the two new units at the Cofton Centre heralds the first step in the creation of new industrial opportunities at Longbridge.

"We strongly believe that the success of the Innovation Centre in attracting technological companies will be mirrored by the Cofton Centre attracting commercial and industrial businesses to the area.

"These two new units have been designed to the highest specification and offer companies a chance to establish a base in what will become the most important site for industry and innovation in the region."

In addition, the Cofton Centre, situated off Groveley Lane near to the A38, has received outline planning consent for industrial/warehouse design and build opportunities from 30,000 sq ft to 225,000 sq ft on the remainder of the site.

The Cofton Centre is located within five minutes' drive of the M42 (Junction 2) and the M5 (Junction 4). It is just eight miles from the centre of Birmingham and close to Longbridge train station, which provides direct access to Birmingham University and Birmingham New Street to the north, and Redditch to the south.

James Checketts from agents GVA Grimley said: "The fact that the Cofton Centre units are available on a freehold basis is another boost to a market which is constrained by the lack of high quality space available in this size range.

"In addition to the convenient location and transport links, the area benefits from a good catchment area of employment. In fact, over 30,000 people live in the Longbridge area with a skill level higher than the average for Birmingham and the West Midlands region."

Some 468-acres are set to be transformed at Longbridge by St Modwen and joint land owner Advantage West Midlands.

Proposals for the area include the creation of 10,000 new jobs and thousands of new homes alongside a quality public realm and an excellent public transport system, all of which will establish Longbridge as a truly mixed use model of sustainability.