St. Modwen and Persimmon Homes have submitted a planning application to Bromsgrove District Council for the first phase of residential development on the former 52 acre Longbridge East works located off Groveley Lane in Cofton Hackett, Worcestershire. The application has been made alongside an outline application from St. Modwen for the overall site which proposes up to 725 new dwellings, with future plans for a new community centre. 

The detailed application for the first phase of development to be delivered by Persimmon Homes comprises 229 dwellings offering a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes and incorporating some affordable housing. The application also sets out proposals for a children's play area and new park, with the opening up of the River Arrow (which has been in culvert since the 1930s) and traffic calming measures for Groveley Lane.

St. Modwen and Persimmon Homes will continue to work with the District Council through the on-going planning application process, and subject to planning approval, work could start on site in early 2012.

Richard Hickman, planning manager for St. Modwen, said: "The former Longbridge East Works provides an excellent opportunity to deliver a new development which will integrate with the established community at Cofton Hackett through a mix of family homes.  

"The Longbridge Area Action Plan identified the Longbridge East site primarily for new housing and feedback gathered at a public consultation event held in May showed that local people were largely supportive of the plans. As a direct result to the consultation, we have now also allowed for the provision of a wider range of accommodation for the elderly in the later phases of the development."

St. Modwen, the UK's leading regeneration specialist and Persimmon Homes, one of the UK's leading house builders, have created a joint venture to initially develop 2,000 homes on seven sites owned by St. Modwen across the UK, one of which includes Longbridge East. 

David McGing, land director for Persimmon Homes South Midlands said: "Cofton Hackett is a highly desirable area and our plans for the first phase of development will provide good quality family homes to suit both people living close by and also those who may be looking to move to the area from further afield.  The opened up River Arrow and new park with play area will create a natural focus to the development to be enjoyed by all the residents."

While the main access to the Longbridge East development will be from Groveley Road, it is proposed that 26 of the dwellings will be accessed from Parsonage Drive. New footpath and cycle linkages will be provided within and through the site. 

St. Modwen has invested over £85 million at Longbridge since acquiring the 468 acre site in 2003. This investment to date has created the Innovation Centre, which has over 40 occupiers employing 240 people; the sister building Two Devon Way, which is 80 per cent let; two new units have been constructed at the Cofton Centre, the £66 million Bournville College, which opens in September 2011; 115 new homes are currently being built on Lickey Road; the new 'Myplace' youth centre is currently under construction; and work will shortly commence on the £70 million Longbridge town centre.