St Modwen has submitted plans for a new £5m youth centre, which will form part of a wider scheme to regenerate the 468-acre (189.4-hectare) Longbridge site near Birmingham.

The developer is working alongside Birmingham City Council (BCC) to provide the new facility for 14-19 year olds, which has received funding as part of the government's Myplace initiative. It is hoped the new centre will help address a lack of facilities for young people in the area and will be located on a site off Longbridge Lane - close to the railway station and the £66m Bournville College campus sited opposite.

Associated Architects is behind the design of the youth centre, which is to boast a multi-purpose space for theatre and sports; a performing arts space; an outdoor multi-use games area; and a café. Designs were drawn up in consultation with young people, with a Youth Forum set up to progress the plans and ensure that the centre's facilities meet specific needs and requirements.

Les Lawrence, cabinet member for children, young people and families at BCC, said: "We have made sure the young people who will be using the centre have been fully involved its design and development." St Modwen senior development surveyor Mike Murray added: "The Centre for Young People will play an important part in the long-term social, cultural and economic improvement of Longbridge - an area where there is currently no statutory youth provision."

The wider £1bn regeneration of Longbridge is set to include a new town centre incorporating public, leisure and retail facilities, as well as the proposed Austin Centre, a new museum and community resource designed to celebrate the importance of the area's automotive history and legacy.