Birmingham NEC Urban Village 'Masterplan'  With Thousands Of Homes

An urban village featuring 5,000 homes and a primary school could be built on land around the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The project would "transform" more than 27 hectares of land that is currently surplus or used for parking, the NEC Group said. Its plans also include a new hotel, cafes, restaurants and offices. Birmingham City Council, which owns the land, urged people to give their views during a six-week public consultation. The NEC Group said the proposals for the brownfield site would create about 3,500 jobs and "make a major contribution to meeting housing needs". The village to the north of the NEC site could ultimately be home to more than 11,000 people and include a mix of homes and amenities. Those behind it said it would work "in harmony" with the existing mature woodland and promote active lifestyles. Meanwhile, a grand plaza, outdoor event space, new hotel and restaurants are planned for the NEC campus itself.