Excitement is already mounting over Birmingham City FC's proposals to buy and develop a 48 acre site in the heart of industrial Bordesley Green.

The land, previously earmarked for 'employment and industrial use', now looks set to be transformed into a sporting mecca - not just for Blues fans but for the whole city. The cash strapped city council, eager to raise funds to help pay off redundancies and equal pay claims, has agreed a deal with the club's new owners.

But what happens now? These are the next steps towards turning a dream into reality.

1. Council approval and deal signed

Birmingham City Council's Cabinet property committee meets at 2pm on Thursday March 28th to discuss proposed sales of property and land. The item about the Bordesley Park item is number 8 on the agenda.

The meeting, chaired by council leader Cllr John Cotton, will consider recommendations. Most of the information about the Bordesley Park scheme is contained in 'exempt' reports, only visible on strict condition of confidentiality to members of the council and some officials. This is because the council's legal advisors say they include commercially sensitive details about the negotiations and price. Commissioners currently overseeing the council (sent in by the Government because of the council's finances and governance failures) state in one report that they 'support the recommendations' and the capital receipts paid (by the Blues) will 'contribute to the target set in the budget'. This is to sell £500m of assets in a year.

The recommendations are to:

  • Approve the disposal on a freehold basis of council owned land at Bordesley Park, together with additional council owned land interests. (These additional areas are set out in a separate, unseen appendix)
  • Delegates the approval of the final sale terms agreed to theAssistant Director of Investment and Valuation
  • Authorises the City Solicitor (or their delegate) to negotiate, execute and complete all relevant documentation.
  • Notes that the purchaser will reimburse the City Council’s reasonable and proper surveyor and legal costs.
  • Notes that upon disposal, the city council will continue to consult with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) on options to apply the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) grant awarded for Bordesley Park for future remediation, reclamation, and acquisition.

2. Birmingham City FC speak about its plans

We have not heard anything yet from the owners of the Blues, or from inside the club. This is not unusual - until the purchase deal is signed on the dotted line, and any legal niggles resolved, they will likely be reluctant to speak. However, the cat is out of the bag and by addressing the news they can take control of the narrative about its plans. The club might soon release detailed plans, or outline its timeline.

What we know from previous high level comments is that the owners' long term ambition is to create a 'Knighthead Park' sports quarter, with Birmingham City FC at its heart. “The ambition for the ‘Sports Quarter’ is to create a globally recognisable sporting and entertainment location. A beacon of excellence, providing the world’s greatest athletes and performers a platform to showcase their talents. Recreational, mixed-use and other space will be developed for the enjoyment and benefit of the local community,” said a statement from the owners in January.

3. The site clean up and remediation work

The council have pledged to continue to lobby for Government funding to be used to finish up a site clear-up, to rid it of industrial and chemical contamination. This is likely to run to many millions, given the size of the site and the multiple contaminated areas. A £19m Levelling Up Fund grant is in place.

4. Planning applications

Public consultation, design and financial modelling will be carried out to devise final proposals - this will resolve what is going up, when, and how much it costs, ahead of submitting planning applications to the council. These should be a formality as the development of the Bordesley Park area is seen as a vital part of a strategy to unlock the potential of East Birmingham, create jobs and training opportunities and help tackle long rooted inequalities.

5. The project begins?

We are all in the dark about when exactly this might be but the Blues owners have spoken of a 10 year vision. In the meantime the Blues are going to have to match their ambitions on the pitch, starting by fending off relegation from the Championship and, pretty soon, a climb towards the Premiership.

Join the live conversation - email jane.haynes@reachplc.com with your thoughts or leave your comment on this story.

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