THE former MG Rover site in Longbridge is being championed as the “perfect” new home for Channel 4, should the Government force the broadcaster out of London.
Minister of State for Digital Culture Matt Hancock visited the site this week after an invitation from Tory Birmingham Northfield MP candidate Meg Powell-Chandler.
With the Government currently consulting on the move, Ms Powell-Chandler said: "Creative industries in the UK are booming and I want Northfield to be a big part of this success story.
“With our location, transport links and skills base, we are perfectly placed to be the new home on Channel 4 and I brought the minister here today to show him everything we have to offer.
"As MP for Birmingham Northfield I will work to attract new and diverse businesses to the area so that there are even more new job opportunities for local people and more growth in our local economy."
The site is not the only area of Birmingham that has been mooted as a possible new home for Channel 4.
Last year, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership – which was led by Andy Street – also identified HS2 stations in Solihull and Curzon as possible locations.
Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, added: "West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has already made a strong case for Channel 4 to move to the region.
“Meg gave me the hard sell, showing everything that Northfield has to offer.”
(ABOVE: Labour candidate Richard Burden is also backing the site as a possible home for Channel 4)
Other Northfield Birmingham general election candidates have also backed the idea.
Labour candidate Richard Burden has written to newly-elected West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, urging him to consider the land as part of a bid to home Channel 4.
Mr Burden, who is seeking re-election, said: "Over the last Parliament I and other Birmingham MPs have already been actively calling for Channel 4's relocation to Birmingham and I am pleased if my election opponent, although new to the area, is supporting this too.
"The first priority is to get Channel 4 out of London and to achieve that I want to see our region come together to agree on a site to bid to Channel 4.
“Our efforts will be likely more successful if as a region we speak in one voice - it’s this approach that has made the BBC invest more in our region in recent years too.
"In that context that’s why I have written to the newly elected West Midlands Mayor to stress this and to make clear that Longbridge is a strong candidate with land availability at Longbridge West, the old West Works site.”
Liberal Democrat candidate Roger Harmer has also threw his weight behind Longbridge's potential to home the broadcaster.
He said: "I support it too. The extra jobs and profile it will bring to Longbridge and Birmingham are very welcome."
(ABOVE: An aerial view of works at the Longbridge development site. Picture by Google Maps)
The site is part of a redevelopment project between developers St Modwen, the Homes & Communities Agency, Birmingham City Council and Bromsgrove District Council.
Redevelopment has already seen the completion of a £66 million facility for Bournville College, phase one of the £70m town centre, and new housing developments.
Earlier this month, Bromsgrove council planners deferred plans to develop 335 homes on East Works Drive, Cofton Hackett, over fears they will put pressure on doctors’ surgeries.
After the decision, developers St Modwen told the Advertiser they were disappointed the delay and admitted they are “now considering our options”.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here