Longbridge, Birmingham

Background

Longbridge Technology Park

The company’s interest in the former MG Rover car manufacturing facility, near Junction 4 M5, began in 2001 when St Modwen was selected as development partner for 54 acres of surplus land initially by MG Rover, subsequently by Advantage West Midlands (AWM).

The remaining 414 acres were acquired in two tranches in 2003 and 2004. The 468 acre site is being masterplanned for a mixed use development.

Nanjing Automobile Corporation has acquired certain assets of the MG Rover business and took over the 33 year residue of the lease on 105 acres of the South works.

Our Vision

Demolition work

The £750 million Longbridge scheme is one of the largest regeneration projects in the West Midlands. Once the home to the iconic Mini, the area is now set to enter an exciting new era.

The pioneering vision for Longbridge includes the creation of 10,000 new jobs and more than 1,400 new homes alongside quality public realm and access to excellent transport links, all of which will establish Longbridge as a truly mixed use model of sustainability.

Longbridge Technology Park

The £100 million Longbridge Technology Park represents the first major step towards positioning Longbridge as the Midland's leading centre for technology and innovation. It is already attracting many local, national and start-up technology-based businesses to the area.

The Innovation Centre and the adjacent Two Devon Way are the first two new office buildings to be completed on the 40 acre Technology Park.

Completed in June 2007, the 45,000 sq ft Innovation Centre presents an innovative solution for start-up and medium-sized businesses. Office suites range from 200 sq ft upwards, and the Innovation Centre also offers a full range of business support services, dedicated meeting and conferencing facilities and virtual offices.

The neighbouring 31,208 sq ft Two Devon Way building has been designed for medium to larger technology-based and expanding companies, offering equally high quality office accommodation in large open-plan floor space.

A further two buildings are already planned for the Technology Park: Three Devon Way, a 25,000 sq ft building with 90 car parking spaces and Five Devon Way, a 15,000 sq ft building with 60 car parking spaces.

Cofton Centre

Longbridge

The Cofton Centre is a 35 acre, self contained, secure estate and forms an integral part Longbridge. The first new industrial warehouse units are scheduled for completion in May 2008, offering two buildings of 27,072 sq ft and 47,502 sq ft available to let or for sale. Outline planning consent is also in place for further design and build opportunities on land adjacent for units ranging from 30,000 to 225,000 sq ft

Remediation

More than three million square feet (278, 709 square metres) of the massive Longbridge site has already been cleared by St Modwen. The company is working closely with the Environment Agency to ensure the former industrial site is fully remediated to allow the area to be completely transformed into a prosperous mixed-use development.

An extensive six month investigation and ground clearing programme is currently under way at Longbridge West, which fronts the A38 Bristol Road South. This activity will see more than 200,000 cubic metres of soil cleaned across the 17 acre (6.9 hectare) site.

Aerial view of the demolition area

Public Consultation and Community Involvement

Consultants appointed by the councils, have led the public consultation to date at Longbridge and St Modwen have had a significant involvement throughout the process, being willing to talk to or meet with anyone who had a view to express

After an initial telephone survey and review with stakeholders, the consultation covered three stages involving newsletters sent out to 23,000 houses, examination of resultant feedback, numerous public meetings and other meetings with special interest groups. This process has undoubtedly helped the creation of a masterplan that will achieve public acceptance and a true sense of community involvement.

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