Pictured above: (l-r) Jon Leedham, Regional Managing Director at DTZ with Waheed Nazir, Director of Planning and Regeneration at Birmingham City Council and Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham

Over 25 clients from the 10 largest property companies and landowners in the West Midlands gathered at DTZ in Birmingham for a briefing on the Big City Plan, one of the most ambitious citywide development projects currently being undertaken in the UK. 

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham and Waheed Nazir, Director of Regeneration at Birmingham City Council gave an insight into the plans and how they are set to transform the second city.

The Big City Plan aims to turn Birmingham into a world class city centre by planning for the next 20 years of transformation. Key projects which form part of the plan include, the New Street Station Gateway, Paradise Circus and The Library of Birmingham.   

Jon Leedham, Regional Managing Director at DTZ, commented: "This was a fantastic opportunity for key landowners to debate the issues which will undoubtedly transform Birmingham's property landscape. I would like to thank Neil and Waheed for their time and the updates given and feel confident that there are exciting times ahead for the property industry in Birmingham with the private and public sector working together."

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham, which leads the Business Birmingham campaign, said: "Birmingham has evolved its investment and development proposition over the past 12 months with an aim to become the most attractive city in Europe to do business. The alignment of the Big City Plan and the Business Birmingham programme has provided a vehicle through which the city can improve upon its infrastructure and investment opportunities. We are now working with businesses in Birmingham to look at how they can support our sales and marketing activity as we look to generate further growth and jobs for the city."

Waheed Nazir, Director of Planning and Regeneration at Birmingham City Council, said: "Launching the Big City Plan City Centre Masterplan in September 2010 is an important step in our journey toward delivering a world class city centre. It provides a clear route map for the city and all its partners for the coming years. What has been extremely pleasing since the launch has been the hugely positive response that the plan has received and the interest it has generated in the city. The focus now turns to delivering the ambitious agenda for transformation and we will be working ever closely with our partners in both the private, public and voluntary sectors to drive forward the Big City Plan".