HUNDREDS of new homes look set to be built on the site of the former MG Rover factory in Birmingham.

Housebuilder, Vistry Group, wants to build 695 new sustainable homes on the Longbridge site.

Once a world-famous bustling car manufacturing plant, the MG Rover factory closed in 2005, causing a significant blow to the local community and leaving 6,000 people without a job. 

At its prime, the site was the largest car factory in Europe and employed more than 25,000 people over 100 years. 

Vistry has partnered with housing association, Bromford, to acquire part of the site to provide new, affordable housing.

Bromford will acquire 250 properties, ensuring that 35% of the development will be considered affordable, against a 20% requirement.

Bromford will make 132 homes available for social rent with an additional 118 homes being available to part-buy, part-rent through their shared ownership scheme.

A further 209 properties will be destined for the private rental sector and the remaining 236 will be available on the open market for private ownership.

The new development will be a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and larger two, three and four-bedroom family homes, with a key focus being made on sustainability.

The houses will be manufactured off-site using open panel timber frames from the Vistry Works East Midlands factory in Leicestershire, in turn meaning each home will emit over 14,000kg of carbon dioxide less than a traditional brick house.

The developer also says the scheme will stimulate economic growth through on-site employment and further benefits for the local community, with designated community and public spaces.

Phil McHugh, managing director of Vistry North West Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to have acquired this site and to be working with Bromford on this exciting project that will contribute to Birmingham’s economic growth by providing new jobs and high-quality places to live.

“Like many major cities, Birmingham has a severe shortage of affordable homes; that’s something we’re aiming to address by going the extra mile to deliver affordable and social rent homes over and above what is required of us and delivering them at pace.

“We're also hugely proud of the sustainability of the homes we’ll be providing, with features and construction methods that reduce their impact on the environment and will lower energy bills for future residents.

“We’re excited to be a part of Birmingham’s growth and to be entrusted with the build of these much-needed new homes which will contribute to the character of the area and create a thriving and sustainable community.” 

Alice Phillips, Regional Development Manager at Bromford, added: “Providing 132 homes for social rent as part of this partnership will make a real difference to the lives of families who are currently waiting for affordable housing in Birmingham, and they’ll be living in some of the most energy-efficient homes we’ve ever built in the West Midlands thanks to all of the sustainability measures that will be installed.”

Professional services group Gateley supported Vistry on the purchase of the site from previous owner, St. Modwen, as well as the development agreement with Bromford.

Lauren Jeffrey, residential development senior associate at Gateley Legal, added: “The Longbridge site was previously brownfield land and holds significant historical importance as the former home to the MG Rover factory, as well as links to war activity. So, it’s brilliant to see the iconic location being given a new lease of life and developed into a community with much-needed housing, shops and offices.

“The success of this scheme is the result of the great working partnership between all parties, as well as the collaborative effort from Gateley’s residential development, planning, tax, litigation and built environment consultancy teams, and I look forward to seeing the development continue to take shape.”

A reserved matters planning application has been submitted with a decision notice due shortly.