A new hotel, employment skills centre and improved transport links could all be built as part of the next phase of regeneration at Edgbaston cricket stadium.
Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Birmingham City Council are now jointly bidding for £20 million from the Government's Levelling Up Fund to support the project which marks part three of the redevelopment work.
Known as the 'Edgbaston Stadium and Community Masterplan', it contains wide-ranging proposals for the famous stadium and conference centre aimed at creating a mixed-use destination centred around cricket and the local community.
The proposals include:
- A new stadium-based, multi-use community hub with the potential for an NHS walk-in centre
- A second community hub at the former police station site in Quinton
- Public space outside the stadium to host community markets, open-air screenings and other cultural and religious events
- Partnership with foodservice contractor Compass Group to invest in a skills and apprenticeship centre for digital, catering and hospitality training
- Sustainable travel including cycling and walking routes linking local communities with the stadium and neighbouring Cannon Hill Park as well as improved walking and cycling links with the city
- On-site hotel also being considered, linked to the redevelopment of the existing Raglan and Priory stands which will have greater capacity
The new masterplan and bid for Levelling Up funding has been launched by the club, city council, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and local MPs.
Earlier phases of work at Edgbaston stadium included a major new stand, pavilion and media centre which opened over a decade ago and more recently a new entrance plaza.
A development of 375 apartments with commercial space at the corner of Pershore Road and Edgbaston Road is also currently under construction.
In addition to being a regular choice to host major test matches, Edgbaston welcomed the inaugural women's T20 competition at this summer's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Warwickshire County Cricket Club's chief executive Stuart Cain said: "We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Stadium and Community Masterplan and its associated funding bid.
"They will transform Edgbaston into a truly mixed-use community destination. Edgbaston is one of the world's best-loved cricket grounds, having been the backdrop for great sporting drama for nearly 140 years.
"These proposals help realise the legacy of the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games, creating a welcoming place for our whole community to enjoy."
Birmingham City Council leader Cllr Ian Ward added: "This masterplan presents a unique opportunity to bring the local community and a Birmingham icon together to improve health and employment outcomes for thousands of people and the city council is determined to put the people of Edgbaston right at the heart of the levelling up agenda.
"This bid is one of five we have put forward. Each of them has an indisputable case for delivery. "These proposals, once properly funded, will combine to have a transformative economic and social impact right across our city."
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