A RETIREMENT village with space for 260 one and two-bedroom apartments will be built on the edge of Longbridge Town Centre after plans were given the green light by Birmingham City Council.
The £35million three and five-storey development will be set on five acres of land on Lickey Road and, as well as the accommodtation, will provide 50 jobs, along with another 200 during the constructing of it.
The application, which includes a new access road and roundabout, undercroft parking and landscaping, was submitted to Birmingham City Council by The ExtraCare Charitable Trust.
The village, one of five developments planned for the city as part of a £200million programme between the trust and the city council, is aimed at offering an independent and enriching lifestyle to those living there,
Designed by the Birmingham-based Nicol Thomas Architects, it will feature a range of communal facilities including a village hall, bar and restaurant, gym, IT suite, hair and beauty salon and shop for residents, their families and those living in Longbridge. Up to 50 activities will also be on offer per week including choir singing, IT, wheelchair aerobics and gardening.
Mark Curran, The ExtraCare Charitable Trust’s development and sales director, said he was delighted with the decision.
“We are looking forward to moving onto the Longbridge site next year and will be engaging closely with local older people during the village’s construction phase.
“Our ambition is to help grow a thriving community that closely matches the needs and aspirations of our future residents and local people in the surrounding neighbourhood.”
Mike Murray, senior development surveyor at St Modwen, said: “The aim of Longbridge is to be an all-inclusive, connected community that provides living, employment and recreational opportunities for people of all ages.”
Work will begin on the retirement village early next year.
So far, St Modwen has invested £300million into Longbridge Town Centre and 3,500 jobs and almost 400 homes have been created since the regeneration began in 2003.
The £70million town centre boasts a host of big names, including Sainsbury’s, Costa Coffee, Premier Inn and Beefeater.
Work is about to begin on the second phase which contains a landmark 150,000 sq ft Marks and Spencer store.
