Approval lined up for landmark MG Works proposals

St Modwen’s landmark proposals to transform the former MG Works site in Longbridge have been recommended for approval. The project, which forms part of a wider masterplan, is expected to create more than 1,300 jobs and almost 700 homes.The site covers about 62 acres of brownfield land previously leased to Nanjing Automobile Corporation UK Ltd, owner of the MG motorcars. It is located south west of Birmingham city centre.Plans involve the conversion of existing heritage buildings, including International Headquarters (IHQ), the Roundhouse and the Conference Centre, to provide approximately 107,000 sq ft of employment space, as well as the Car Assembly Building (CAB 1), to provide up to 53,000 sq of mixed employment uses.The area will feature workspaces, including creative studios, office buildings and co-working facilities to cater for a range of businesses.Additionally, the construction of 695 homes is proposed, comprising apartments, townhouses and traditional housing.It is forecasted that the scheme would create to support 1,383 workforce jobs based on the most marketable re-use of the three retained buildings for employment use, while underutilised industrial buildings retained by Nanjing have the potential to support a further 207 jobs, taking the total to 1,590 for the whole MG site.A statement filed with Birmingham City Council on behalf of the applicant said: “The proposals will bring forward a sustainable mixed-use viability-led brownfield regeneration project, including the delivery of new homes that contribute to the unmet housing needs of Birmingham City Council.”The council’s planning committee will consider the proposals on 18 August.A report for the committee said: “The proposed development would continue to expand the mix and tenure of residential properties within the Longbridge AAP area in accordance with policy requirements.”There would be no adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers and the proposed development would have a beneficial impact on ecology and landscape locally.”The quantum of development proposed can be accommodated on the site and the development would see a significant net biodiversity gain on the site through new landscape and SuDS. On this basis, I have concluded that the proposal is sustainable development.”In a seperate application also to be reviewed at the meeting, St Modwen is seeking approval for the construction of an employment unit for research, development and industrial processes. The proposed building, located on the West Longbridge site which formed part of the wider MG Rover car plant, is bespoke and has been designed to meet the operational requirements of the occupier, Waters Corporation.Approval has also been recommended for this development.