More than 400 new jobs are set to be created after new funding was agreed to regenerate another part of Longbridge town centre.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has granted £780,000 to support construction of ‘2 Park Square', a four-storey, 60,000sq ft office block on a 1.6-acre derelict plot next to Bournville College in the south Birmingham town.
The building will be operationally carbon neutral with its own roof garden and outdoor terraces and will overlook the Austin Park and River Rea.
Property group St Modwen is supporting the development with £13.5 million as part of its own long-running regeneration of the area.
The funding follows the award in December of more than £51 million of government cash for the combined authority to support significant regeneration schemes on brownfield, former industrial land.
It forms the latest phase in the £1 billion regeneration of Longbridge which has already created a new town centre with a hotel, supermarket, offices, shops and housing.
It is estimated the work so far has already created 3,700 jobs as St Modwen brings new life to acres of land formerly owned by MG Rover prior to its collapse in 2005.
Is this the right plan for Longbridge going forward? Join the debate in the comments section below
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "This derelict site was once a thriving hub of industry and now it can once again provide jobs and services for the region.
"Our funding will assist in closing the viability gap needed to get the redevelopment of this part of the Longbridge site under way.
"We may still be in the eye of the covid storm but we have refused to let it knock us off course.
"Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to invest in the regeneration of brownfield land across the region and put in place the building blocks we will need for a successful economic recovery that can provide decent jobs and good-quality affordable homes for local people."
St Modwen senior director Rob Flavell added: "Our partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority continues to grow and help unlock the exciting pipeline of jobs, homes and beautiful public realm spaces that will create an amazing place.
"Its support is key to delivering the huge benefit that Longbridge can contribute to the West Midlands."
.jpg?w=600)
