Next phase of Longbridge regeneration to create thousands of jobs

Thousands of new jobs and hundreds of homes are set to be created as part of the latest phase of the regeneration project in Longbridge.

Developers St Modwen have revealed that 7,500 jobs will be created alongside 1,300 new homes through the next step of the project at the former car factory.

The next stage of the plans will see the old MG Rover factory floor site transformed to feature a mix of new homes, 10 acres of green space, with heritage buildings preserved - including the International HQ, Roundhouse, and Car Assembly Building.

In addition to this, the West Works site at the car plant will be developed to produce 900,000 sq. ft of commercial space, as well as a 350-home neighbourhood.

Planning applications for the West Works and MG Rover sites are expected to be determined by Spring 2022.

The announcement is being made today, Thursday, November 11, and is backed by Housing Minister, the Rt. Hon Christopher Pincher MP, and MP for Birmingham Northfield, Gary Sambrook.

The Longbridge regeneration project

Longbridge is one of the largest regeneration schemes in the UK.

Developers St Modwen have been working to improve the area of Northfield for a number of years.

In the 1960s, the area was the centre of the British automotive industry, employing 25,000 workers at the Longbridge plant.

At the site they built famous cars, and was home to the Austin, the original Mini and more recently MG Rover.

As the decades passed, the car industry staggered and the Longbridge plant eventually closed, with the resulting job losses hitting the local community hard.

The factory became dormant, and some parts of the older sections of the site were demolished after MG Rover fell into administration in April 2005.

The closure of the car plant left a 75-acre site unused and unloved for years.

St Modwen has been working on development projects at the site since 2007, building new houses, estates as well as Longbridge Shopping Centre - with work now underway to transform the remaining areas of the former plant to complete the long-term £1 billion initiative to breathe new life into the area.

The company has overseen the development of 3,000 jobs for people and built 1,450 homes, as well as offices, a new town centre and park, Bournville College, and facilities such as the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine.

These latest phases of development is expected to bring the total of full-time jobs being created to 10,500.

What has been said about the project?

Sarwjit Sambhi, CEO, St. Modwen, said: “The success of Longbridge proves that thriving communities, beautiful homes, and thousands of jobs can be created by regenerating disused land, and that this must be a national priority to help solve the housing crisis.”

Rt. Hon Christopher Pincher MP, Minister for Housing said: “It is fantastic to see the progress being made at Longbridge. The development is an excellent example of what can be achieved when derelict land is used to regenerate local areas, create jobs and help people onto the property ladder. As we level up the whole of the United Kingdom, we are investing an extra £1.8 billion to bring a further 1,500 hectares of brownfield land into use across the country.”

Gary Sambrook MP said: “When MG Rover closed in 2005, 5,000 local livelihoods were lost. The work of St. Modwen to regenerate the site and deliver 10,000 new jobs brings a new future for our community. I am excited for what is to come and continue to work with St. Modwen to make it happen.”

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. BirminghamWorld is Birmingham’s latest news website, championing everything that is great about our city - reporting on news, lifestyle and sport. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.