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Longbridge Area Action Plan
Submission Document
Delivering the Vision
Following two years of intensive work by Birmingham City and Bromsgrove District Councils, landowners, interested groups, local organisations and the general public, we are now ready to submit the Longbridge Area Action Plan (AAP) for independent examination by a Planning Inspector, prior to its adoption.
We have had a huge response to our newsletters, meetings, exhibitions and website, as people in the Longbridge area have taken the opportunity to get involved in planning the future of their community. Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to tell us their hopes, fears, views and ideas.
This is an exciting time in Longbridge’s long history. The Area Action Plan’s final proposals, which were endorsed by both councils in January, include plans for 10,000 new jobs, over 1,450 new homes, built to high environmental standards, a new local centre to provide a wide range of retail, leisure, commercial and community facilities and a series of public transport and highway improvements. Our overall aim is to create a truly sustainable and well designed new community.
What happens now?
The Secretary of State will now appoint an Inspector to undertake an independent examination of the plan to test its “soundness” and make any necessary changes prior to adoption. As part of this process the Inspector will organise an Examination in Public (EiP) to consider any representations made on the plan. There are nine tests of soundness the Inspector has to consider and against which you may make your representations. There is a statutory six week period of consultation in which you can make your representation(s) which ends on Friday 9th May 2008 at 5pm.
The ‘Tests of Soundness’: Have we got it right?
The Planning Inspector will decide whether the Longbridge Area Action Plan:
• Is in agreement with other plans and strategies;
• Proposes developments which are sustainable;
• Is based on sound research and has made the right decisions between alternative options;
• Will ‘work’ and can be monitored, and
• Is flexible enough to meet local needs if these change over time.
Copies of the Longbridge Area Action Plan are available for you to see in libraries and other local venues or can be downloaded from this site. We are also holding meetings where we can explain about the plan and the next stage in the process and where you can tell us whether you think the plan meets the Tests of Soundness.
Longbridge Area Action Plan: the proposals
Here is a brief summary of our proposals for the future of Longbridge. Please refer to the AAP itself, for the full set
A new mixed use local centre
• A retail quarter with a superstore, smaller shops and offices and dwellings;
• A learning quarter with a new ‘cutting edge’ college facility;
• A mixed use quarterwith offices, leisure, residential and other uses, and
• The Austin – a landmark building with space for heritage, community, health and cultural facilities.
A range of key employment sites
• A major 24 hectare (ha) Regional Investment Site (RIS) for high technology businesses and offices, which will feature high quality landscaping and design;
• A wide range of other employment space within the AAP, including land next to Nanjing and the Cofton Centre site, and
• The retention of the Nanjing automotive site for car manufacturing.
High quality sustainable and adaptable housing
• Located by the Regional Investment Site, within the local centre and at East Works;
• A minimum of 1,450 new homes, and
• Supporting facilities and services, including; investment in schools, community buildings, library facilities, community safety, heritage and culture.
Improving access to, and movement
around, Longbridge
• A Park and Ride facility adjacent to Longbridge Station;
• A high quality bus network linking Longbridge to the wider area including a new route to Frankley;
• Improved rail services and stations;
• Improvements to the A38 Bristol Road South and the motorway junctions, and minor improvements to Longbridge Lane;
• A network of local access roads within the site, and
• New routes for walking and cycling.
Landscape, environment and open space
• A major new urban park forming the focal point of the local centre development;
• The opening up of the River Rea with a naturalised water course through the majority of the local centre;
• A new park on West Works by the River Rea;
• Opening up the River Arrow with a new park alongside;
• A range of sensitive improvements to Cofton Park, with new and improved sport and play facilities;
• Improved access to the countryside and green belt, and
• The protection and enhancement of habitats for wildlife.
Sustainability
We are keen to be at the forefront of sustainable development with buildings and facilities that embody excellence of design and seek carbon neutrality. Addressing climate change, energy efficiency, waste management and recycling, flexible design and the use of sustainable materials and construction techniques are key components of the plan.
Need more information?
For more information or clarification about the Area Action Plan and the submission and adoption process, please contact:
Birmingham City Council:
Stephen Hay
South Development Planning and Regeneration Team
Development Directorate
P.O. Box 28
Floor 17, Alpha Tower
Suffolk Street Queensway
Birmingham B1 1TR
T: 0121 303 3453
F: 0121 303 9889
Bromsgrove District Council:
Mike Dunphy
Planning and Environment Services
Bromsgrove District Council
The Council House
Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove
Worcestershire B60 1AA
T: 01527 881325
F: 01527 881313
e-mail:
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Please note that the statutory six week consultation period is now finished
However copies of the Longbridge Area Action Plan and supporting documents may be still viewed at the following venues, as well as on this web site
Birmingham City Council (BCC), 9th floor, Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham B1 1TU: Mon–Thur 8.45am–5.15pm & Fri 8.45am–4.15pm
Bromsgrove District Council (BDC), The Council House, Planning reception, Burcot Road, Bromsgrove:
Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
Austin Sports and Social Club, Tessall Lane, Longbridge:
Mon–Fri 12:00 noon – 3:00pm
Birmingham Central Library, Chamberlain Square,
central Birmingham:
Mon–Fri 9am–8pm & Sat 9am–5pm
Parish Offices, New Frankley in Birmingham Parish Council, 12 Arden Road:
Mon–Fri 8.30am–12 noon
Bromsgrove District Council Customer Service Centre, Dolphin Centre, School Drive, Bromsgrove:
Mon–Wed 9am–5pm Thurs 10am–5pm, Fri 9am–5pm,
Sat 9am–12 noon
Libraries (please check opening times with your local library)
Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Catshill, Cofton Hackett, Hagley,
Rubery and Wythall.
We are also holding a series of events where you can speak to council officers about the Longbridge Area Action Plan. These will be ‘drop-in’ sessions rather than formal meetings. All these sessions will run from 4pm–7pm.
Tuesday 8 April:
Turves Green Girls’ School.
Thursday 10 April:
Edgewood Road Community Centre, Longbridge Triangle
Tuesday 15th April
Frankley Parish Council Offices, 12 Arden Rd , Frankley,
Thursday 17 April:
Austin Sports and Social Club, Longbridge
Friday 18th April
Cofton Hackett Parish Council
What happens after I’ve submitted my representations?
The independent Planning inspector will consider all comments at an examination in public, after this the inspector will issue a binding report. The Councils will amend the Area Action Plan accordingly and then formally adopt it.
To access the Document library click on read more and scroll to the bottom of the page
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