On behalf of Europe’s leading veterinary care provider, St Modwen have applied to Birmingham City Council for planning permission for a state of the art veterinary hospital in Longbridge.
The proposed facility will create up to 150 highly skilled jobs, with the hospital featuring the latest medical equipment including CT and MRI scanners and accommodating research, treatment, diagnostic, laboratory and administrative space.
The planning permission is being sought on behalf of IVC Evidensia, Europe’s leading veterinary care provider with 21,000 staff based across 12 countries, including Manor Vets and Clent Hills Vets locally.
The proposal will also see regeneration of a 3 acre site that acts as a gateway for the wider West Longbridge Business Park, given the go ahead earlier this year after a £20m infrastructure investment in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Subject to approval, building work on the hospital would start next year, with the first animals receiving treatment by 2023.
St Modwen’s Development Director for Strategic Land & Regeneration, Elliot Sellars said: “This is a key first element of West Longbridge and will become a real centrepiece for that part of the town. It also has the potential to be a real beacon of veterinary excellence in medicine and treatment.
“Its state of the art design and facilities will be a major draw in the veterinary sector and provide new jobs and opportunities for local people. “
Representing IVC Evidensia, Head of Referrals (UK & Ireland) John Turkington said: “Our new hospital will be one of the leading veterinary facilities in the UK. It will have some of the finest 24/7 facilities and embrace the latest technology to deliver the best diagnoses and treatments possible.
“Many of our referral centres are established leaders in their field and our new state-of-the-art hospital in Birmingham which will be staffed with experienced, high-calibre teams, has been designed to enable the best outcomes through working collaboratively in a sustainable rewarding working environment that produces the excellence in client and patient care which we have become known for.”
Hoping to provide up to 5000 jobs, West Longbridge Business Park is part of a wider regeneration of the former MG Rover West Works following a £6 million investment by the WMCA to unlock the land for development. In addition to the business park, the investment will see an attractive new residential neighbourhood of 350 homes also created.
Have Your Say
Plans for the hospital itself are yet to go live on the Birmingam City Council website. To view outline plans for the wider West Longbridge site and submit your opinions, visit the Birmingham City Council planning website and search for Application Number2021/07145/PA before 26th August 2021. Alternatively, send your comments by email to Planning.Comments@birmingham.gov.uk or in writing to Planning and Development, PO Box 28, Birmingham B1 1TU quoting the Application Number.
