Town Centre, Phase 1.
(Update 18-02-13)

The main buildings under construction are Sainsbury’s 85,000 sq ft store, Premier Inn 75 bedroom and Beefeater Grill. Sainsbury’s are on Longbridge Lane and the new High Street, with the other two behind Bournville College. These buildings will be handed over April/May by the builder, but will not be opening till late autumn.

Along with the main three players, there are also 20 other shop units varying in size. Over 80% of these units are already pre-let or under offer. Six of these are small units on Longbridge Lane between Sainsburys and the railway.

Picture AA
Small units on the left with Sainsbury’s on the right.

Picture B
Sainsbury's Longbridge Lane - High Street



PARK POINT

Picture CC

Park Point is the new high quality flexible office space, with a total floor space of 16,529 sq ft. Units are available from 1,442 sq ft upwards. Its position gives a view over Austin Park.

Longbridge Lane Park and Ride

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Longbridge Lane

Planning application has been submitted to Birmingham Planning by Centro to build a Park and Ride on the land that was formally had eight semi-detached houses. It will accommodate 103 cars including 5 places for the disabled.

Centro-Park-&-Ride


River Rea - Austin Park

Picture F

The work on diverting the River Rea and the area which will be called Austin Park is progressing well and will be open at the same time as the New Town Centre.

Town Centre Phase 2


Planning application has just been submitted to Birmingham City Planning for Longbridge Town Centre Phase 2. This will include the following.

A) 135,000 sq ft anchor retail store.
B) 400 space decked car park
C) 300 space car park.
D) Associated access, landscaping and infrastructure.

It is expected that this will create up to another 200 jobs.

Other plans in the pipeline are.

Longbridge Station is to get a face lift.
The line to Bromsgrove to be electrified, allowing people to have a direct route to Longbridge.

Longbridge is served by excellent public transport links, with Longbridge Train Station just a short walking distance and over 350 buses per day passing the site. Birmingham city centre is eight miles away and the M5 (junction 4) and M42 (junction 2) motorways are three miles away


Lickey Road Improvements


Work has already started on Lickey Road. This is the area up from the Island that was tarmac area, for the trams and buses. The area by St Columba’s Primary School will have a designated area for the parents to park. The area from the car-park to the Island will now be grassed.


Picture G

South Experimental

The last part of the original factory has finally been demolished to make way for more houses on the Lickey Road.


Picture H

Picture I
Lickey Road looking towards the Drawing Office
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Update 15 November 2012

Development on Lickey Road - Phase 2

Park-View-Phase-2


Planning application has been submitted to Birmingham Planning to extend the housing development called 'Park View' Northwards along Lickey Road. This is the area which covered the following buildings in 2000, Materials Lab located on the test hill, a double workshop which was built in the early 60s, with the rear one used for the development of the Austin Maxi and 3litre. The front workshop was the Press Garage, this came under the umbrella of the Publicity Department and at the time prepared all the Models in the BMC range from Mini to the 4litre R which were loaned to the Motoring journalists to test.

South Experimental Department was on the Lickey Road. Two bays of this building were refurnished around 1998 when the Medical Block was moved from 'K' gate in the BMW era to make way for the New Mini, Body in White Shop, which never happened.


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View from the Drawing Office, towards the New Bournville College.
On the left is the South Experimental with the Materials Lab
Press Garage and Prototype Build (1963 to 68 approx.) on the right


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P1020970
Looking towards the South Experimental Right with the New Houses on the Left

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View from Lickey Road



19 August 2012

Latest plans for the Town Centre and Austin Park

Longbridge-Phase-Two-B

The main changes to the Town Centre are that provision has been allocated for a new
130,000 sq ft retail unit. Future phase to include Employment, Leisure, & Community Facilities.


Austin Park revised plans

Revised-Austin-Park


Changes have now been proposed for the Austin Park. This is because in the original overall plan for the redevelopment of the Longbridge site, the Railway Bridge (A38) was also to be demolished, but this has now been abandoned. So the course of the River Rea under the bridge will remain as it is. These changes will make the Park larger but a different shape (see 5 March update showing original scheme). This will improved pedestrian access to the Town Centre and College from the Rubery area as they will be able to walk under the bridge on what was the bed of the railway lines, see below. You will see from the above plan that the revised plan will allow for further development on the Bristol Road by Bournville College.


View A Railway Bridge

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The Factory
(Youth Centre)

This will be officially opened in September

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P1020174A
Sports Facilities

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Town Centre

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Sainsbury's - corner of Longbridge Lane and High Street

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View looking up the High Street

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View of the new shops in Longbridge Lane (between Sainsbury's and the railway line)

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View of the new Premier Inn

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In the foreground the New Restaurant (Beefeater) and Offices at the rear.

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Changes planned for the Longbridge Station Area
Longbridge Public Realm Improvements (Longbridge Lane)


The Longbridge Area Action Plan (LAAP) identifies public realm and traffic management measures required on Longbridge Lane to support the new town centre development and link this with the Sunbury Road shops and Longbridge Rail Station. The project proposal reflects a key request originally made by the local community.


The proposals include:

. . . public transport elements including additional bus stops, facilities for short term station drop-off parking and . . . . . 'ring and ride' services.

. . . widened footways and higher quality paving materials.

. . . improved pedestrian routes and crossing facilities.

. . . new public square, lighting, planting, landscaping and forecourt improvements.


These proposals aim to:

. . . improve the experience of arrival at Longbridge

. . . help secure the future of the Sunbury Road shops by providing a better link with the new town centre.

. . . improve road safety and the public realm for the benefit of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

. . . encourage sustainable travel options to reduce congestion in the immediate area

Longbridge-Lane-Dev

You will see that the main difference in the road layout, is that the dual carriageway will go to a single carriageway before the Railway Station, when approaching from the Bristol Road. At the moment it goes to a single carriageway after the Station. The main reasons for the change is that it will give more space for the buses to stop, also Taxis and cars will have space to drop or pick passengers close to the station.


Longbridge-Lane-Sunbury-Rd
View 1

Longbridge-Lane-Bus-Stops
View 2

Longbridge-Lane-Station
View 3

Longbridge-Lane-Public-Sq
View 4
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Update 5 March 2012

Town Centre

The next phase of the Longbridge development is the Sainsbury's store along with other shops in the High Street and Longbridge Lane.

Longbridge-Town-Development-Phase-1-Latest

Sainsbury's-Building-Plot
Site of the new Sainsbury's store

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P1020070

P1020071

Longbridge-High-Street
View looking down the High Street towards Sainsbury's

Austin Park

Work will commence on the Austin Park later this year
Austin-Park
View looking from the Bristol Road

P1020075
Work on the new bed of the River Rea


Phase Two

Office Accommodation, Restaurant, Hotel (75 Bed) & Shops will be built on the temporary car park in phase 1.


Longbridge-Town-Development-Phase-2

Longbridge-High-Street-Looking-South
View looking up the High Street
75 Bed Premier Inn Hotel & Beefeater Grill Restaurant on the right


Looking-at-the-Hotel-etc-from-Bristol-Road
View from Bournville College

View-South-at-Hotel-Resturant-and-Office-Block-Entrance
View from the South


Update 24 Jan 2012

Youth Centre
This is due to open in June

Youth-Centre-Rear-22-01-12
Rear

Youth-Centre-Side-22-01-12
Side

Youth-Centre-Front-22-01-12
Front - Longbridge Lane

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P1020084
Nearing completion

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South Works
At the moment work is going on to clean up and level the site.

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This is where the Austin Park will become a reality.

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Park View
Lickey Road - Lowhill lane

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Park-View-Lickey-Road-C

Park-View-Lickey-Road


Park-View-Lickey-Road-A

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East Works Development

At the moment it's all about remediation work to transform this industrial site, into a housing development.

P1010774

P1010775


East-Works-Housing-A
The roads will be named after the various Aircraft that were built at Longbridge along with the Aero engines and Austin Champ.

Examples:
Aero Way - Hurricane Avenue - Champ Road - Stirling Street - Mercury Avenue

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Bournville College
(4 October 2011)

The College has been open for just two weeks.
Below are more views not seen from Longbridge Lane

Bournville-College-From-The-Air-A

Bournville-College-From-The-Air-BB
Bournville-College-Entrance
View looking down the High Street to Longbridge Lane
(Sainsbury's store will be on the right)

Bournville-College-Rear-View
Rear View


P1010522
Glulams

Conference Centre
P1010523
Exterior View
P1010500
Interior View

B-C-Reception-Area
Looking down on the reception area

P1010507
Library (This view is looking towards Longbridge Station)

P1010511
This view is looking back towards the Library

P1010533
View of Innovation Centre and Building Two

P1010537
One of three Motor Vehicle workshops
(Note MG on ramp)
There is also one Motor Cycle workshop


B-C-Zest-Cafe
Its time for a Snack at the Zest

Fact and Figures on the College

The overall internal floor space of the campus is the equivalent of 20 Olympic sized swimming pools.

As many as 318 people per day have been working on-site since the project began in November 2010.

More than 32,747 m2 of plasterboard have been used in the new College, equivalent in area to three Premiership football pitches.

34 Glulam beams have been used in the Learning and Resource Centre, each weighing 5.5 tonnes and measuring 26 metres in length.

Over 3,200 m of fabric have been used in the college. This is the same length as 45 Boeing 747 Jumbo Jets.

If all IP network cables used at the new campus were joined together, they could go around the world three times.

There are 736 internal doors in the college. When these are stood end-to-end this

the lowest amount of waste generated and recycled during the project was 97% and the highest 100%

There are 4,000 chairs in the College which is equivalent to the amount of seats found on 10 Virgin Pendolino trains


Longbridge Redevelopment Update
5 September 2011

Bournville College
Enrolment Week
1 Longbridge Lane, Longbridge, Birmingham B31 2AJ


Bournville College’s £66m new campus in Longbridge will consolidate the College’s existing three campuses to serve 15,000 students. It will span more than four acres and become a stepping stone towards the further regeneration of Longbridge. Bournville’s new location, modern spacious premises and conference centre will enable the College to introduce new courses such as motor vehicle maintenance as well as featuring excellent training facilities for hairdressing, beauty, catering, construction and sport. The new campus, will be one of Europe’s most modern further education facilities, training the next generation of workers who will power the growth of the British economy and beyond in the 21st century.

‘This is about putting education absolutely in the centre of enterprise and then using the traditions of Birmingham to inspire and grow. If you have knowledge and business link together, you will grow wealth, you will go further down the innovative path and actually, you will create more and more jobs...That is how important innovation is.’
Lord Digby Jones

Bournville-College

P1010306
Sunset brings a new look to the College

P1010359
Instant trees are now appearing


My-Place Youth Centre

MyPlace-Poster-Longbridge

This new multi-million pound youth centre will provide a wide range of innovative and much-needed services for 13-19 year olds in the Longbridge area. “This is a fantastic opportunity for those living in the south-west of the city and an important cornerstone of regeneration for the Longbridge area.”

The centre opening in March 2012 will provide arts space, a sports hall, conference rooms, an ICT suite, music and media centre, workshop area and outdoor games.


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View from the Austin Social Club

P1010338
View looking down Devon Way towards Longbridge Lane



Park View
Lickey Road - Lowhill Lane

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P1010232
This will be the entrance into the development from Lowhill Lane.

This new development comprising of 115, houses and apartments is making good progress, with the Show House opening on the 3 September in Lowhill Lane.

A two and four bedroom show home will be available to view. Prices for the first release of homes range from £114,995 for a two-bedroom apartment and from £154,995 for the houses, which include a selection of two, three and four-bedroom designs.

Park View is the first housing development in the UK by St Modwen Homes and is being delivered in partnership with the government’s Home and Communities Agency (HCA). The 10 Houses available through HomeBuy Direct will see the government and St Modwen Homes lend up to a total of 30 per cent of the purchase price for eligible buyers with a household income of less than £60,000.

The deposit required to purchase a HomeBuy Direct home is a minimum of five per cent, giving first time buyers who may otherwise be unable to access the housing ladder the chance to own their own property. The HomrBuy Direct properties are priced from £110,250 for a 70 per cent share in a 762 square foot two-bedroom terrace house.

A 928 sq ft three-bedroom terrace house is priced from £129,500 for a 70 per cent share. Potential purchasers are encouraged to make contact with the sales team as soon as possible as demand is likely to be extremely high for these limited numbered properties. St Modwen has invested more than £75 million at Longbridge since acquiring the site in 2003.

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Longbridge Redevelopment
23 July 2011
Town Centre gets the Green Light

Longbridge-Towm-Centre
View towards the Town Centre looking from the Bristol Road

Birmingham City Council have unanimous approved the planning application for the new £70 million Longbridge town centre, which will create over 1,000 jobs.

The new Longbridge town centre will be delivered in three phases, with an 85,000 sq ft (50,000 sq ft net sales area) Sainsbury’s store, car park, two acre urban park and elements of the new high street delivered in the first phase. Phases two and three will comprise an 80-bed hotel, 40 apartments, further retail space and car parking, with a total of 80,000 sq ft of retail space and restaurants being delivered in addition to the Sainsbury’s store.


The new two acre Austin Park will lead to the opening up of the River Rea for the first time in 100 years. The Longbridge town centre development will also create new access roads and continued local road improvements for the £1 billion flagship regeneration scheme.

Bill Oliver, chief executive of St. Modwen, said: “We are delighted to have received planning permission for the new town centre at Longbridge. With Sainsbury’s already signed up to take the foodstore and many discussions taking place with other potential retailers and occupiers, we will now look to commence construction of the first phase before the end of the year.”

Cllr Timothy Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Transportation and Regeneration said: “Once complete, Longbridge town centre will establish a new heart for the local community and a focal point for the overall £1 billion regeneration of the former MG Rover works. The development will provide an important economic boost to the area and create a diverse range of employment opportunities, potentially creating over 1,000 jobs.”

Michael Adenmosun, Regional Development Executive for Sainsbury's Supermarket Ltd commented: "The regeneration of Longbridge and the landmark town centre scheme will transform the area and breathe a new lease of life into Longbridge. Sainsbury's is proud to be part of this vision and make a difference to this community."

The £66 million Bournville College, which is situated within the Longbridge town centre site, is nearing the end of its construction programme and will welcome its first students in September 2011. Elsewhere at Longbridge, the first two office buildings to be completed at theTechnology Park are virtually fully let. Construction work is underway at Park View, the first new residential scheme at Longbridge, which will deliver 115 houses and apartments. A planning application is currently being prepared for up to 750 homes and a a new park at Longbridge East, while planning permission was recently granted for a new ‘myplace’ youth centre for 13-19 year olds, which will be developed with Birmingham City Council.

Prior to submission of the detailed planning application for the town centre, there was widespread community support for the development plans, with over 600 people attending the public consultation event. St. Modwen has continuously welcomed the input of local people, recognising the need for the regeneration to engender a sense of pride in the area. Creating a choice of retail, leisure and residential space that adequately meets the needs of Longbridge is helping to highlight the area as a thriving innovative community with a positive future.

The 468 acre Longbridge site is being transformed by St. Modwen and Advantage West Midlands as part of the £1 billion regeneration of the former MG Rover works, delivering a sustainable community with the creation of 10,000 new jobs and up to 2,000 new homes.

Town-Centre-Sainsbury's


MyPlace Youth Centre

My-Place-Youth-Centre


A new multi-million pound youth centre was approved earlier in the year, and work has now started. This is another key project for the redevelopment of Longbridge, despite Birmingham’s youth service facing major cuts.

A development agreement has now been signed between Birmingham-based St Modwen and the City Council for the new £5 million youth centre.

Developers say the ‘MyPlace’ centre will provide a wide range of innovative and much-needed services for 13-19 year olds in the Longbridge area, which will be finished in March 2012.

The development of the centre has been made possible through a grant from the Government’s myplace programme, a Big Lottery Fund scheme to invest in facilities for young people across the UK.

The location of the site was selected for its proximity to the new £66 million Bournville College campus, Longbridge rail station and new Longbridge town centre.

Mike Murray, senior development surveyor for St Modwen, said: “It is excellent news that funding and planning permission are now in place for the new Longbridge youth centre.

“The facility will play an important part in the long-term social, cultural and economic improvement of the area, as there is currently no statutory youth provision.”

Coun Les Lawrence, Cabinet member for children, young people and families for Birmingham City Council, said: “This is a very exciting project and I am delighted that the deal with St Modwen has been signed. The young people who will be using the centre have been fully involved in its design and development.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for those living in the south-west of the city and an important cornerstone of regeneration for the Longbridge area.”

The centre will provide arts space, a sports hall, conference rooms, an ICT suite, music and media centre, workshop area and outdoor games.

The Centre is located between Devon Way and what was an entrance to the Austin Social Club off Longbridge Lane.


View from the Austin Social Club
09 July 2011

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23 July 2011
P1010155
28 July 2011
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Longbridge Redevelopment
23 May 2011

Bournville College


Bournville College
Topping Out Ceremony
Left to right: Peter Millett (Shepherd Construction), Norman Cave (Bournville College),
John Dodds (St Modwen), Howard Saycell (Bournville College)

Inside the new college

Bournville-College-Interior-E

Learning Resource Centre (LRC)

Located in the very heart of the College, this fantastic facility will offer over 300 computers with the latest software, thousands of books on all subjects, e-learning materials, journals and magazines, internet access and expert staff to help you with your research, assignments and coursework.

The Street

Linking the Learning Resources Centre to the main building is 'The Street', the place where everything happens. This is going to be the hub of the College, with a refectory and a deli bar, as well as a Starbucks cafe and a W H Smith shop. Our contemporary restaurant will seat over 70 covers and offer a more formal dining experience.

Sports Facilities

Our fitness suite will accommodate up to 70 fitness stations and will be equipped with a sauna and a steam room. The extensive sports hall will have courts suiyable for basketball, netball and badminton as well as facilities for 5-a-side football.


Bournville-College-Interior-B

Conference Centre

This golden cladded part of our campus doesn't fail to make a statement. The Conference Centre will offer outstanding resources in order to provide an excellent platform for any event.


Bournville-College-Interior

Hair & Beauty Saloons

Spreading over two floors, our salons will feature all the latest industry standard equipment. You can enjoy relaxing therapies, makeovers or having your hair styled in the latest fashion.

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As part of the North Works development the River Rea has been re-routed

P1000977
Showing the old culvert been broken up

P1000971
Showing the new culvert



Longbridge East Development

At the moment this development of the East Works site is going through the first planning stage through public consultation. When the results of this has been collated, planning application will be lodged with Bromsgrove District Council

Longbridge-East-first-phase
This picture shows the area of East Works to be used in the first phase of the housing development

Longridge-East-Development
Longridge-East-Development-View-1
View looking up Parsonage Drive towards what was 'V' Gate

Longridge-East-Development-View-2
A view showing the various types of houses

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The housing development taking place on what was the General Office Block, Lickey Road - Lowhill Lane

Park-View-Longbridge-Development-Corner-A
Corner of Lickey Road and Lowhill Lane

Park-View-Longbridge-Development-A
Lowhill Lane

Park-View-Longbridge-Development-Sign

Park-View-Longbridge-Development-Sign-A

Park-View-Longbridge-Development-Houses-A

Park-View-Longbridge-Development-Houses-B
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Longbridge Town Centre

Sainsbury's to build a new store

Longbridge-Development-Sainsburys
Left to right: Mike Murray (St Modwen), Michael Adenmosun (Sainsbury’s) and Mark Watkins (St Modwen)

Up to 400 jobs are set to be created after Sainsbury’s announced plans to open a new store as part of the Longbridge regeneration project. Located off Longbridge Lane, adjacent to Longbridge train station, the 85,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s store will become the retail anchor for the proposed £70 million Longbridge town centre, which includes a total of 165,000 sq ft of retail space – amounting to 24 new shops and restaurants.

A planning application for the new building and a 475 car parking places has been submitted to Birmingham City Council and subject to consent, construction will start this summer with the store expected to open in early 2013.


“The new store is set to boost the local economy with the creation of hundreds of jobs across a range of skill sets; and as there has never been a food store of this size located within Longbridge, we expect the new Sainsbury’s will enable the community to enjoy the convenience of being able to shop locally, rather than having to travel out of the area. This in itself has wide-ranging economic and environmental benefits for Longbridge.”

Mr Murray continued: “
The new store is set to boost the local economy with the creation of hundreds of jobs across a range of skill sets; and as there has never been a foodstore of this size located within Longbridge, we expect the new Sainsbury’s will enable the community to enjoy the convenience of being able to shop locally, rather than having to travel out of the area. This in itself has wide-ranging economic and environmental benefits for Longbridge.

”Mr Murray continued: “The store will act as a cornerstone for the retail phase of the town centre, and we anticipate high levels of interest in the remaining retail and leisure space from other potential occupiers following this announcement.  To have now secured Sainsbury’s and to have the new Bournville College under construction on the town centre site prove that St. Modwen is forging ahead with the delivery of an extremely important phase of this landmark regeneration scheme, and we continue to move towards the goal of creating up to 10,000 jobs at Longbridge.”

Michael Adenmosun, Sainsbury’s Regional Development Executive, said: “We are pleased to confirm our plans for a new foodstore in Longbridge. The proposed store will create new jobs for local people and bring great food at fair prices to the community of Longbridge. We are looking forward to playing a part in the area’s future economic growth and working with St. Modwen, the community and its representatives to deliver the store.”

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Longbridge Redevelopment
6th March 2011

P1000835
This view is looking up Longbridge Lane towards the Bristol Road
It shows the new road for Bournville College and Town Centre


The plans for the Town Centre have been presented to Birmingham Council. It is excepted that this should get approval around about June. There have been a few changes to the plans that were shown to the public in November. One of the changes is that the proposed Austin Centre will not be built on this first phase. I for one believe that more thought needs to go into deciding what we would all like an Austin Centre to provide. So any ideas would be most welcome, but please be realistic with your plans as it will need funding to operate.

P1000819
View from the road bridge towards Northfield, College on the right


The road works are progressing on the Bristol Road and Longbridge Lane which have to be ready for the opening of the Bournville College in August. Part of this work is to construct a new culvert which will carry the River Rea when it is diverted from its current route.

Bournville College


P1000816


P1000823
View showing the other side of Bournville College
Note the single colour, light grey


Youth Centre Longbridge Lane

A start on the Youth Centre is likely to take place in June. This building will be situated on North Car park, close to the Austin Social Club. See article 1st November 2010


Housing Development Lickey Road

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Foundations for the Housing on Lickey Road - Lowhill Lane


On the Lickey Road where the GOB used to stand, work on clearing the site is now complete. This development is for 115 properties, with the show house opening in June/July.


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Proposals for the

Longbridge Town Centre
4th November 2010
Screen shot 2010-11-03 at 21.05.08
New Superstore on the left -------- Bournville College on the right.
View looking down Longbridge Lane.

MASTER PLAN

After this public consultation, the views expressed will be taken into consideration before the planning application will be submitted to Birmingham Planning Department later in the year.

The planning application will include:

165,000 sq ft of retail space which amounts to 24 new shops
and restaurants, including a 85,000 sq ft foodstore

Community space including four acres of public parkland
and the Austin Centre - a community facility.

Work to bring the River Rea out of culvert and run through the new park
Hotel and 40 apartments

Approximately 650 car parking spaces



Longbridge-Town



Screen shot 2010-11-03 at 21.07.09
AUSTIN___PARK

The new four acre Austin Park will be a natural focus for the new town centre. The landscaped park will be enhanced by the opening up and realignment of the River Rea and will provide a new open space to be enjoyed by those living, working or visiting the area.

Screen shot 2010-11-03 at 21.04.45
AUSTIN
___CENTRE

The Austin Centre will provide a new community facility for Longbridge in the new town centre. It will be situated on the floor above the proposed new retail units and opposite the hotel. With restaurant, shops and apartments this will provide a new flexible community space for the area.

Screen shot 2010-11-03 at 21.13.09
Ground Floor

You will notice on the ground floor an Exhibition space, it is hoped to use this space to show the history of "The Austin"


Screen shot 2010-11-03 at 21.12.42
First Floor


Screen shot 2010-11-03 at 21.12.30
Second Floor


Screen shot 2010-11-03 at 21.04.20
Looking from Devon Way across Longbridge Lane into the
Town Centre Development

Screen shot 2010-11-03 at 21.04.02
A Night View
Looking up Longbridge Lane from the Station

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1st November 2010
Plans for a Youth Centre are Revealed

Factory-Building-Youth-Cent

Youth-Centre-Aerial-View-B
It will be built on a plot called 5 Devon Way

The Youth Centre will include the following areas;
Foyer / Social Space / Reception /Office
Sports Hall; 5’a’side football, badminton, basketball and netball.
Associated changing rooms
IT Suite for 12 workstations
2 Group / Meeting Room for 20 person each 2 Small Interview Rooms
Music Room / Recording Studio
Community theatre incorporating Dance Studio
Multi Use Games Area (MUGA).

The centre hall will primarily function as a sports facility;
but will occasionally cater for performances with stage facilities.

The name for the youth centre has still not been confirmed, but may be 'My Place' or 'Factory'

__________________

Longbridge Redevelopment.
2nd October 2010


It was in April 2009 that the Longbridge Area Action Plan was adopted, after a long drawn out planning process. With the new government's changes to planning policy and significant cuts on the way, are likely to have an impact on the future pace of development at Longbridge.

Birmingham City Council (BCC), in partnership with Bromsgrove District Council (BDC), Worcestershire County Council (WCC) prepared the Longbridge Area Action Plan (AAP), together in consultation with Advantage West Midlands and the principal landowner St Modwen Properties PLC, to secure the comprehensive regeneration of the Longbridge area, following the closure of the MG Rover plant in 2005.

Until the Comprehensive Spending Review is made public in mid October, it is not clear what extent the cuts and re-prioritising that will be needed, although it is inevitable that funding cuts will impact on the delivery of Longbridge development.

The Longbridge Delivery Board (LDB) was reconvened in September and will now meet quarterly to oversee the delivery of the Longbridge AAP. The role of the Board is to provide strategic direction, leadership and focus on implementation of major projects and to ensure these projects contribute to the vision and aims of the AAP.

In order to secure the partnership arrangements between BCC, BDC and WCC in respect to the management and delivery of the AAP, a Memorandum of Understanding has been prepared and will go to BCC Cabinet on 18th October. Political approval is also being sought at BDC and WCC.

Longbridge Town Centre (North and South areas)

Meetings are being held with BCC and St. Modwen to progress the design development and planning application for the new Longbridge town centre. The initial designs have been presented to the City’s Design Review Panel, Director of Regeneration and the Development Officers Group.

The proposed 5 year phased development will comprise a supermarket, a diverse retail offering, hotel, along with the Austin Centre and a new urban park.

St. Modwen has expressed their intention to submit a detailed planning application before the end of this year.

2 Devon Way (The building next to the Innovation Centre)

P1000460

St Modwen wished the building to be reclassified for unrestricted office use. This planing change has now been approved. So internal changes to the first floor will now be section off into smaller units, this will allow three companies to move out of the Innovation Centre into Building Two. This will free up space in the Innovation Centre for small companies to set up, and hopefully when they grow move into 2 Devon Way.


Bristol Road / Longbridge Lane Infrastructure Work

The fate of the £12 million Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) application will not be known until after the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review in mid October, although it is recognised that RIF will likely be cancelled in favour of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

BCC is currently reviewing priority projects that could be submitted as part of the RGF bid in November. The A38 improvements may be one of the Council’s projects that will be submitted. The government has stated it will approve bids in February 2011 and these projects must be deliverable between 2011/12 and 2012/13.

Work on the first phase of widening Longbridge Lane and the junction with the Bristol Road has now started. This
£7 million programme of road works is funded by St Modwen on the A38 (Bristol Road South) and Longbridge Lane.to improve the flow of traffic when the Bournville College opens in September 2011. The work will be spread over 15 months in various phases, this long time scale is needed because of the various utilities services that pass through this junction.


Longbridge--Roads
For a larger view click on the link below (PDF)
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Longbridge--Roads

Bournville College


The development, which started on site in November 2009, forms part of the new Longbridge town centre and will open in September 2011, following an 88 week construction period.

The College remains dedicated to meeting the needs of South West Birmingham communities and the local business community. Curriculum areas being considered for expansion into are construction and motor vehicle.

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Lickey Road Housing

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The Lickey Road housing development was going to be funded under the last government national Kickstart 2 scheme. Now funding has now sourced and approved by the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA).

The scheme will comprise of 115 homes, made up of 71 Sale-Rent, 10 HomeBuy Direct and 34 Affordable Housing (Low Cost Home Ownership & Social rent). The contract was signed in August between Waterloo Housing Society as the Registered Provider. Then in September, HCA and St. Modwen signed the funding agreement for £3.66 million. Work on preparing the site will start very soon, with the first phase finished in the summer 2011with St Modwen the contractor. The whole development is scheduled for completion in June 2012.


Cofton & East Works


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Unit 3 Cofton Centre

This is a new unit built on what was the Just In Time centre off Grovely Lane. It covers 27,093 sq ft which includes 1,335 sq ft of offices along with three loading bays. This has now been let and will occupied in the next few weeks.

Bromsgrove Development – East Works


The Outline planning application in Bromsgrove for East Works will provide around 750 dwellings, a small scale retail centre, community facilities and a new public park. Discussions between both the District Council and County Council have resolved nearly all planning matters relating to this application to bring it in line with the policies in the Longbridge Area Action Plan.


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16 August 2010

Bournville College Update

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On the above view you can see the sloping roof taking place

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5th April 2010

Bournville College

In the foreground is the steelwork for the College Conference Centre which is at the Bristol Road end of the development.


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Here we see the pouring of cement into the shuttering, to create an external staircase that is situated in a Zen Garden which has a Reflective Pool. Then as you go up the stairs you will be able to connect with a bridge at each level.

The College building is split into two parts. with the part nearest to Longbridge Lane will be two stories high,
Front Building and at the back Main Building is five stories high.

On the ground floor area of Front and Main building is a Conference Centre, Business Centre, Sports Hall, Motor Vehicle Workshops, Hair and Beauty, Construction.

First Floor (Front) will be for Language Studies.

First Floor (Main) Contains the following Departments, Life Skills, Arts and Crafts, Horticulture, Catering, Library
Beauty Treatments, Construction, Seminar Rooms.

Third Floor (Main) Houseing Pre Vocational Studies along with Social Care.

Fourth Floor (Main) For the Administration Staff, Humanities and Business Studies.

Fifth Floor (Main) Mainly for Senior Staff at the Bristol Road end, with the rest housing the Plant and Service machinery.

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22nd March 2010

Bournville College
The Large Cranes have arrived


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Land that housed the GOB and Methods Buildings.


A revised plan for the development of houses etc on the Lickey Road- Lowhill Lane area have been submitted to the Birmingham Planning Department.

The site has been cleared of all its previous built structures and buildings. The planning application proposals put forward for the redevelopment of the entire site to a scheme comprising 140 new dwellings, together with new vehicular and pedestrian access points, parking and landscaping.

The scheme comprises a mix of dwelling sizes and types but predominantly includes typical family housing and a small number of flats. Access to the site is provided from two points along Lickey Road and also from a single point on Lowhill Lane. Parking is included within the development to meet the needs of the new properties. Landscaping forms an integral part of the development with new areas of public realm and the extensive and dense landscape buffer to the rear of the site maintained and enhanced.


The proposals provide for the following dwelling mix and tenure:

99 Private dwellings comprising 20 x 4 bed houses, 40 x 3 bed houses, 39 x 2 bed dwellings comprising.
41 Affordable dwellings comprising 12 apartments and 27 houses.

Making a total of 140 dwellings


GOB-Development
Plan of the Proposed Development

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29th November 2009


Improvements to Bristol Road & Longbridge Lane
Starting early in 2010

St Modwen is investing £4 million to improve Longbridge Lane from it junction with the A38 (Bristol Road) up to the junction with Tessall Lane. Birmingham Cith Council has already granted St. Modwen planning permission for this work.

We are now developing the detail proposals with Birmingham City Council for the following highways improvements.

A. Widening Longbridge Lane to four lanes on the West bound carriageways at its junction with the A38 (Bristol Road South).

B. Providing three lanes on the Longbridge Lane East bound and West bound carriageways to provide filter lanes at Devon Way.

C. Creating a new signal controlled junction at Devon Way.

D. Creating a new access road to Bournville College campus opposite Devon Way.

E. New/upgrated signal controlled pedestrian crossings at the new Devon Way crossroads.

Longbridge Lane junction with A38 and on the A38 in front of the Innovation Centre building.

F. Upgraded facilities on both sides of the carriageways for pedestrians.

G. Tessall Lane remains unaffected.

Also a new entrance will be constructed into the Old West Works site, opposite the Innovation Centre

The work which will be constructed in various phases starting early in 2010, within a time span of 70 weeks.

Click on this link for the road plan.
Longbridge-Lane-Improvements PDF
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15th November 2009


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At last the construction company Shepherd has moved onto the site.

The aim is to have the Bournville College finished and ready for the start of the new academic year in September 2011.


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There had been a station at Longbridge on the main line (where the current Station is today), but this was closed in 1849, long before Herbert Austin had arrived, the nearest one still open was Northfield a few miles away.

26th September 2009

Bournville College
Given the green light, with funding now in place

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Broadway Malyan’s

At the present time Bournville College which has its main college located on the Bristol Road Northfield also has two other colleges, one in Longbridge (Old West Works canteen) and at Kings Norton. With funding now in place, work can now start, with the contractor Shepherd Construction Ltd expected to start work in October. The aim is to have the Bournville College finished and ready for the start of the new academic year in September 2011. This is a very tight schedule, and will be the largest construction taking place in the West Midlands other than the QE Hospital.

The architect firm for the project is Broadway Malyan’s Birmingham office. Driving the project forward is Lead Architect Salim Hussain who commented: “The new Bournville College marks one of the first phases of the biggest regeneration scheme in the region, so it is incredibly rewarding to have the opportunity to implement the concept design through the build stage. The state of the art premises which will see over 15,000 students in both further and higher education.

“We will be working with the entire project and development team to ensure the delivery of a first rate building that will set a new standard for education facilities in the UK. The iconic designs for the college make a clear statement of intent with regard to St. Modwen’s regeneration of the former MG Rover works, whilst also highlighting the renaissance of south-west Birmingham.”


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Google Earth map and St. Modwen's plans

The six storey building will be located on Longbridge North and will anchor the new town centre at the heart of St. Modwen’s regeneration of the 468 acre former MG Rover works. The prominent location on the junction of the A38 Bristol Road South and Longbridge Lane and in close proximity to Longbridge train station means it is imperative that the college design is reflective of the new vision for the area.

Mike Murray, senior development manager for St. Modwen, said: “With Broadway Malyan on board as detailed architects and now with funding in place the new Bournville College can now take a major step forward in providing a new high quality education facility at Longbridge. Not only will the new Bournville College shape Birmingham’s learning environment, it will also form the first phase of the new Longbridge Town Centre and therefore represents a milestone in a new future for Longbridge.”

The new Bournville College will be housed in one building comprising of multiple distinct blocks, interlinking around the central spine building where, at the heart, a double height atrium will act as an ambient space for all of the students to come together and interact with each other.


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Broadway Malyan’s

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Broadway Malyan’s

Positioned around the spine will be a business centre and a Learning Resource Centre, encapsulated by bold 1m deep timber frames that will the provide a strong scale and rhythm to the central atrium space, which will be top lit by a series of large wedge shaped roof-lights. Colour and texture are used throughout the design to provide students with inspired break out areas in which to study, away from the more formalised arrangement of the classrooms.

Bold colours are also used on the exterior of the building in a fractal pattern, helping to make the college a landmark of the Longbridge development. With the River Rea being returned to an open watercourse after being underground since the early 1900s, a fully glazed tower has also been incorporated in the design to overlook the river and facilitate interaction between the college and its landscape.

Broadway Malyan’s accessible designs have been developed to ensure the college will encourage the local community to use the building’s facilities, with public access to areas within the building including the sports hall, restaurant and hair & beauty salons.

Sustainability is at the heart of St. Modwen’s regeneration of Longbridge, and the college will be no exception. The building has been designed to achieve a BREEAM rating of Excellent and hosts a number of environmental design features. These include rainwater harvesting for use in flushing toilets, earth tubes for ventilating the dramatic double height Learning Resource Centre and an exposed concrete frame to the Spine building to assist with night-time cooling.

Norman Cave, principal of Bournville College, believes the design of the building to be integral to the long-term success of the facility. Norman said: “The brief was to create a landmark building that represented the vision for Longbridge as well as providing an educational facility that could meet the needs of businesses, local community, adults and young learners. Fundamental to this was the creation of an effective working partnership where design ideas could meet the aspirations of the College. We believe that our partnership has done just that and we look forward to providing a 21st Century educational facility to an area of the city which has been severely affected by the demise of MG Rover.”


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20th May 2009
Longbridge Development Update

MG Motors UK Ltd have now handed back to the Developer St. Modwen the following, Dalmuir Building and also Number 2 Paint, which can be seen from the Lickey Road. This will release more land for the future redevelopment of the site.

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Aerial view Google Earth



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No 2 Paint Lickey Road

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Rear view of No 2 Paint


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Dalmuir building viewed from the Railway

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Side view of Dalmuir building

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North Works

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Picture taken 20-05-09

Birmingham City Council Planning Department have passed the plans for the new Bournville College. You will see from the above picture that the area of land for the College has now been cleared and levelled. It is hoped that work can start in a few months time when the funding is in place.

To the right of the picture is what looks like a road, this is actually where the River Rea passes through the site in a culvert. Work will start on opening this culvert up in a few months time. Hand in hand with this work which has already been started, is to create along part of the River Rea as it passes through West Works is to construct a flood plain. This will actually be a grassed reservoir that will accommodate the excess water in the so called 1:100 Year Flood.

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GREEN LIGHT FOR

Longbridge Development
14th February 2009



Plans which will lead to the creation of 10,000 new jobs and at least 1450 homes on the former MG Rover site at Longbridge have just been given the green light by a government inspector.

Prepared jointly by Birmingham City and Bromsgrove District Councils in partnership with Advantage West Midlands, St Modwen and Worcestershire County Council. The Longbridge Area Action Plan (LAAP) was submitted to Government last March ahead of a formal Examination in Public held in October and December.

The plan provides a 15 year vision for 140 hectares of land on, and surrounding, the former MG Rover car plant, which will see it dramatically transformed into a prosperous mixed-use sustainable community with a newly created and vibrant heart built around jobs, communities and people.

As well as employment opportunities and homes the plan will also deliver a new learning quarter, 25 hectare regional investment site for high tech businesses, new urban parks, shopping centres and the ‘Austin Centre’ a proposed museum and community resource which will celebrate the history and importance of the area’s automotive legacy.

Approval of the Councils’ plan now gives St Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, the green light to forge ahead with the £750 million regeneration.

In her report Government Inspector, Jill Kingaby said “In my view, the proposals for the future economy of Longbridge are founded on robust and credible evidence and will be effective, flexible and deliverable.” “Overall, I conclude that the LAAP should enable the economic transformation of Longbridge…developing a range of employment opportunities across the site and establishing a Regional Investment Site which is attractive to high profile investors.”

“The sudden closure of the MG Rover plant was a devastating blow for local people and the West Midland’s economy. These events required an immediate and positive response from the councils….. in these unusual circumstances, I consider that it is entirely appropriate.”

The plan is the outcome of intensive consultation with the local community and work with stakeholders. The Inspector welcomed the collaborative work that had been carried out during preparation of the plan from the earliest stages between the local authorities, and major landowners together with transport bodies and other interests. She stated, “The parties should be commended for their approach.”

She also noted the commitment of all parties to implement the development at Longbridge “It is clear from the hearing sessions and written evidence that there has been continuing collaboration between the landowner/developers and Councils, as well as with infrastructure providers, directed at delivering the plan…. Evidence on the ground, in the form of clearance of the old MG Rover sites and construction of new business premises at the Innovation Centre and Cofton Centre, demonstrate that an “action” plan is intended and not just a paper document”.

Mike Whitby Leader of Birmingham City Council said: “The Longbridge Area Action Plan sets out an ambitious vision for the transformation of the site in a way that will provide much needed jobs, homes and community facilities for everyone who lives there.

“Alongside New Street Station, the Library of Birmingham and airport extension, this is yet another example of how through partnership working we are bringing an ever increasing number of major projects online in the region at a time when the economy needs them most.”

Mick Laverty, Chief Executive at Advantage West Midlands, said: “Longbridge is one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in the West Midlands region, both in economic and social terms. And is particularly significant given the site’s history as the MG Rover car production plant.

“Today’s milestone offers the opportunity to close the MG Rover chapter and instead look forward to a new era for Longbridge, an era that that will bring new jobs, new businesses and create prosperous new communities.

“It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage. Delivering big complex projects like Longbridge is difficult but it’s what we do at Advantage West Midlands – and we will continue to work hard with Birmingham City Council, St Modwen and Bromsgrove Council to make sure Longbridge is a success.”


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Planning Application Submitted
for Bournville College






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Google Earth map and St. Modwen's plans

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Artist Impression as viewed from the ARROW shown on the aerial view above



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North Works site as viewed from the Bristol Road
(Feb 2009)

The 17-acre Longbridge North site is bordered by the A38 Bristol Road South and Longbridge Lane. Although the College will be the largest single building on the site, there will be a town centre. This will included a major food store, together with a variety of other retail and service uses, employment space, hotels and leisure uses. This truly mixed use scheme will also include a mixed range of 460 new homes and The Austin Centre – a community building which will primarily be used as a focal hub for a host of local groups, to also include a museum.

One of the main features of the North development is that the River Rea which has run in a culvert since North Works was built in 1916-17 will now be returned to an open watercourse and become a key feature of Longbridge North. It will run through Austin Park at the heart of the town centre, which will include cycle lanes, footpaths, riverside seating and grass terraces.

Because the whole of the Longbridge site was used for manufacturing. it is classed as a Brown site. This means that over the years various chemicals that were used on site, would have contaminated the ground. So thousands of tonnes of soil will be remediated at Longbridge North - enough to fill more than 35 Olympic-sized swimming pools - and, following the removal of ground contamination and concrete obstructions, the site will be re-graded to enable infrastructure and building works to commence.

Mark Batchelor, construction manager for St. Modwen, said: "Sustainability is very much at the heart of the regeneration of Longbridge and more than 95 per cent of on-site material is being recycled for future use in the project. Contaminated material will be treated by Hawk and Celtic Ltd using ex-situ bioremediation, which allows for the treated material to be re-used elsewhere in the scheme. This reduces the need for importing and off site disposal of material, thus decreasing traffic on the roads and reducing the carbon emissions of the project.

"As well as the environment, the interests of the existing community surrounding the 468 acre Longbridge site are of utmost importance, with St. Modwen introducing measures that will keep disturbance to an absolute minimum. Hawk's innovative new silent breakers will drastically reduce noise disturbance and excessive dust, a common problem during preparatory work, will be reduced using Celtic Ltd's filtration kit.

"Around five million square feet of the vast Longbridge site has already been cleared by St. Modwen. We are working closely with the Environment Agency, Birmingham City Council and Bromsgrove District Council to ensure this former industrial site is fully remediated, allowing the area to be completely transformed into a prosperous mixed-use town centre built around jobs, communities and people."

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Update on the Longbridge Development.
28 October 2008

St Modwen have put in planning application for the Old West Works and North Works with Birmingham City Council. These plans are subject to change, because at this point in time the whole Longbridge Area Action Plan is been looked at by a Government Inspector. Until the Inspector has delivered her report, which will be before Christmas, planning permission cannot be granted.


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Longbridge Redevelopment
25th May 2008


Technology-Park


St Modwen and Advantage West Midlands have announced expansion plans for its £100 million Longbridge Technology Park.The UK’s leading regeneration specialist has submitted planning applications for Three and Five Devon Way, two buildings which together are set to deliver a further 40,000 sq ft of Grade A research and technology space on the Longbridge Technology Park, situated off the A38 Bristol Road South, is one of the first phases of the £750 million mixed use Longbridge scheme.

The first two completed office buildings, the Innovation Centre and Two Devon Way, have received strong levels of interest from start up to medium-sized technology based businesses, with suites available from 200 sq ft upwards. As a result the Innovation Centre is already more than 60 per cent let, having secured 30 lettings to date. Situated adjacent to the existing buildings, the proposed Three and Five Devon Way will comprise 25,000 sq ft and 15,000 sq ft of office space respectively. Both buildings have been designed to complement the Innovation Centre and Two Devon Way. Three Devon Way is a three storey building and Five Devon Way has two storeys.

Work is expected to start on the new buildings before the end of 2008.

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Bournville College to Move to Longbridge


More than 468 acres is set to be transformed at Longbridge by St Modwen and Advantage West Midlands. The pioneering vision for the area includes 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.

Bournville College will relocate to new £84 million premises at Longbridge it was announced, after the College entered into an agreement with developer St Modwen. Work will start on the site (North Works) earmarked for the development of Longbridge town centre in mid 2009, with the purpose built 250,000 sq ft Bournville College expected to be delivered by September 2011. Spanning 4.2 acres, the new educational facility will be located in a prime position allowing easy access for students. The six storey building, which is being designed by the Birmingham office of international architectural practice Broadway Malyan, will be prominently located on the junction of the A38 Bristol Road South and Longbridge Lane and will have capacity for 15,000 students. The new premises will bring together Bournville College’s existing three campuses and will feature new state of the art facilities including a learning resource centre, business school, construction workshop, and leisure and sport facilities.

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The Overall Plan


The planning applications, representing £750 million of mixed use development, have been submitted to Birmingham City Council and Bromsgrove District Council. Covering Longbridge North, Longbridge West and Longbridge East, together with improvements to the A38, the applications respond to the Longbridge Area Action Plan (LAAP), which was submitted to the Government in March 2008. The plan now has to go forward to a Government Inspector where amendments may be made. The plan then becomes a formal Development Plan Document (DPD), which is then binding on all parties.

Spearheading the landmark regeneration of the former MG Rover Works, joint landowners St Modwen and Advantage West Midlands have sent out the strongest signal to-date that its vision of an employment-led heart for the 468 acre Longbridge site is significantly closer to becoming reality. It has also demonstrated that this transformation will be driven by the principles of sustainability, a new community and inclusiveness.

Bill Oliver, chief executive of St Modwen, said: "Longbridge is a site with a world-renowned heritage and today we have moved this area of the Midlands into a new and incredibly exciting era. The potential Longbridge has to become a thriving economic hub and a sustainable new residential community is now apparent; and it is more than matched by the vision and confidence St Modwen and Advantage West Midlands have in Longbridge as we enter this new chapter in its history."Subject to planning approval, the next 15 years will see an additional 1.8 million sq ft of employment opportunities for Longbridge, together with 1,980 new homes.

A new town centre just off the A38 Bristol Road South will form a new heart for the community, and will be conveniently located adjacent to the existing Longbridge train station.

Mick Laverty, Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands, said: "Today represents a major milestone for Longbridge. Having consulted with the local community over recent years, all parties involved in taking the project to its present stage are acutely aware that there is a real sense of expectation and hope around a brighter future of Longbridge."

"The submission of four major planning applications provides a clear statement of intent, showing the scale and ambition of what Advantage West Midlands and St Modwen expect to deliver over the next 15 years, and highlighting the level of our commitment and continued investment into Longbridge."

There will be a new learning quarter on the site earmarked for the town centre, anchored by Bournville College which announced that it will relocate to a new purpose-built £84 million educational facility at Longbridge in 2011.

Landmark architecture will help to build a sense of place for Longbridge and will act as a beacon for those entering and leaving the area. Whereas landscaping and public realm will play a crucial role in creating distinctive routes and spaces in and around Longbridge, and will provide focal areas for recreation and community interaction.

There will be a 4.2 acre Austin Park at the heart of the town centre and an 11 acre Rea Park at Longbridge West. Longbridge East will feature 11 acres of dedicated public open space, known as Arrow Park at the core of what will be a new residential community. Two of Birmingham’s long forgotten rivers, the Rivers Rea (North Works) and Arrow (East Works), will be opened up for the first time in decades and will be a prominent feature at Longbridge and Cofton.


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The above artist's impression is looking from the Bristol Road towards the Shopping area and Apartments, and in the foreground the opened up River Rea.

Richard Burden, MP for Northfield (Lab), said: "In setting out their vision for the transformation of Longbridge, I welcome St Modwen and Advantage West Midlands’ emphasis on their long term commitment to the delivery of a mixed use scheme that is a model of sustainable regeneration – for the benefit of the local community, the region and beyond. Along with others, I look forward to seeing these planning applications and discussing the details of what is being proposed so that the regeneration of this area can be as successful as possible.

"The development straddles both Birmingham and Bromsgrove in Worcestershire. Councillor Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council and Councillor Roger Hollingworth, Leader of Bromsgrove Council, said: "This is a hugely exciting project of immense national importance; however the sensitively placed emphasis on putting the heart back in the local community is absolutely the right approach to putting Longbridge back on the map – as a place where people want to live, work, visit and invest."

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Longbridge Technology Park

The first phase of the re-development of the Longbridge site has been operational for a few months now.
But was Officially Opened on the 10th Dec 2008.


It all started in July 2005 when the Midland Bank on the Bristol Road was demolished. The Austin Motor Company bankers were the Midland Bank. In the early years and the company used to go into Birmingham to the Main Branch to pick up the wages. Then because security became a concern a branch office was built on the North Car Park facing the Bristol Road. This meant that it was only a short journey to the wages department in the General Office Block on the Lickey Road. The only other building on the car park was the Apprentice Club House (Hut). Most workers could not afford the cars they were producing, so would travel to work by public transport, cycle or walk.

One landmark as you approached the works from Northfield was a Chevron Sign which changed many times over the years.




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Sign 1951


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Demolition work starts on the Midland Bank (HSBC)


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Clearing the site starts in July 2005


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The first steel work is erected


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The steel work at night



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Steel work finished



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Aerial view in February 2007



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June 2007


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New building against the old landscape


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Corner of Bristol Road and Longbridge Lane



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Reception Desk

So North Car Park is now the Technology Park which is accessed from Longbridge Lane via a new road called Devon Way. The building on the corner is The Innovation Centre, which offers flexible serviced busincess space. the three storey building of 45,00 sq ft offers high quality office building specifically designed to provide an environment to assist and accommodate the development of young and new technology based businesses. It is linked to the University of Birmingham which is only a few miles away. The innovation Centre is able to tap into the research been done at the University, by giving academics who are working on new projects a place were they can have a base from which to work.


So what does the brochure say:

The building specification includes the following

Comfort cooling, this is a system that cools the offices without getting draughts.
Raised floors, so all telephone and computer cabling is out of sight.
Two passenger lifts.
Male, female and disable toilets on each floor
Kitchen facilities
Shower facilities.

The office accommodation is sub-divided into suites of various sizes to allow choice and flexibility to all potential occupiers from new start-up companies to established corporate technology based occupiers.

There are 23 Suites on the Ground Floor which range from 194 sq ft to 576 sq ft. Also on the ground Floor is the main Reception area along with Meeting and Conference Rooms which can be hired by the hour, having all the necessary Audio Visual equipment to use along with Broadband connection. There are two Kitchens and one Shower room.

On the First Floor the suites range from 205 sq ft to 872 sq ft. There are two Kitchens and one Shower room available.

This new building offers young companies to, as the saying goes to put their toe in the water and have a go, as the tenure for a suite is on flexible short term leases.

At the end of this year 40% of the units have been taken, with about 100 people employed.

The other building in the aerial view is for let to a single employer, and it is hoped to let this building around March-April 2008. It is called Building Two Devon Way.




There is now development going on the Cofton Centre

The following are Press releases from St Modwen the Developer.
Some of the Regeneration of the site will be done with Government money channelled through Advantage West Midlands

ST MODWEN SEEKS TO CREATE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT LONGBRIDGE

24 April 2007

site at The Cofton Centre, Longbridge, Birmingham, to meet the demand from businesses wanting to relocate to the area. A planning application for more than 300,000 sq ft of industrial space on the 18-acre site off Groveley Lane has been submitted to Bromsgrove District Council. Michael Murray of St Modwen, said: “Due to the interest we have had from industrial occupiers to relocate to Longbridge, the early development of this site could create up to 800 jobs.“Subject to planning consent, the first phase could be completed by the end of the year.”

PRG Europe, the UK’s leading supplier of lighting and projection solutions to the entertainment and events industries, is currently fitting out the 157,000 sq ft former MG Rover parts distribution warehouse, and will move in December.

The redevelopment of the whole of The Cofton Centre site could eventually create more than 1,200 jobs.
St Modwen Developments Ltd is seeking planning consent to develop a range of industrial units on the former car storage

Prospect of hundreds of jobs as Longbridge Industrial Scheme begins


23 October 2007



St Modwen Developments is seeking to create up to 300 jobs by the development of nearly 75,000 sq ft of manufacturing and distribution buildings in the £5.5 million first phase of The Cofton Centre, Longbridge, construction of which is now underway.
Planning consent has been granted for a total of 285,000 sq ft of new industrial development on MG Rover¹s former car storage site off Groveley Lane , part of the 340-acre car plant which St Modwen is redeveloping.
The first two speculatively built units of 47,502 sq ft and 27,072 sq ft are scheduled to be completed late Spring 2008.
Mike Murray, of St Modwen, reported: ³We are receiving strong interest in the scheme and are talking to a number of occupiers who see Longbridge as being ideal for their business. When the whole of the Cofton Centre is completed we anticipate it will provide more than 1,200 jobs.

UK’s third largest independant builder merchant firm to expand in Longbridge

15 November 2007

Builders¹ merchant E H Smith has invested in the regeneration of Longbridge through the acquisition from St Modwen Properties, the UK¹s leading regeneration specialist, of the former MG Sports and Racing Building at the Cofton Centre, Longbridge.

The 20,715 sq ft premises enables the Birmingham-based family firm - the UK¹s third largest independent builders¹ merchant - to expand and take on up to 20 new staff. The new EH Smith branch in Longbridge - the company¹s 11th operating location - is set to open Spring 2008 to supply a wide range of building materials and services to the surrounding area.

John Parker, managing director for E H Smith, which was established 85 years ago and now employs more than 600 people, said: EH Smith is delighted to be setting down roots in Longbridge and looks forward to becoming part of the community. The company fully embraces the growth and regeneration of the Longbridge area, wishing to play a part in the investment of this up-and-coming part of Birmingham.²
Phil Yates, the company¹s regional director, commented: ³This is an exciting time for EH Smith, further investing in the city that has been its home for so long. With the ongoing rejuvenation of the area, the community of Longbridge has a terrific future with many opportunities.²
Jonathan Green, development surveyor, St Modwen, said: ³We are delighted with this sale which further endorses the growing appeal of Longbridge to companies wishing to relocate and expand.

This phase of development will create the potential for an additional 300 jobs and it is anticipated that the Cofton Centre, when complete, will provide more than 1,200 jobs.