First look at West Bromwich's £20m overhaul plans

Ambitious £20 million plans to redevelop a run down area of a Black Country town centre have been submitted to Sandwell Council.

These are the first images of the homes, offices and shops planned for a 5.2 acre site.

It is on the corner of Bull Street and High Street, West Bromwich. If the council passes plans at a new year meeting, work could start in weeks. West Bromwich-based Accord Housing Association will build 69 homes, an office block and shops. The Eastern Gateway project has been discussed since 2007.

Urban Living, a Government-funded housing provider has already spent £10.5m on buying and demolishing properties and site investigations in preparation.

Land at the former Aldi site in High Street was cleared in October 2007 and numbers 30-34 Overend Street were knocked down in January last year in preparation for the development.

The new homes will be close to a number of new developments including controversial £72m arts centre The Public and the new £200m Tesco development, set to open in 2012.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for jobs and economy Councillor Ian Jones said: "This will be a real boost for West Bromwich town centre.

"The proposed regeneration of this area links into other major projects such as Tesco, Sandwell College, the police station and new offices at All Saints."

The development is set to be carried out on two phases, with further homes planned for the area in future.

Adnan Saif, Urban Living's chief executive, added: "The regeneration of this area is critical to the transformation of West Bromwich town centre, which will now see good quality town centre living as a major housing choice option for residents and potential residents.

"This is the culmination of a number of years of partnership working."

The application can be viewed online at www.sandwell.gov.uk or at Development House, Lombard Street, West Bromwich.

The council has assured residents and traders they will be consulted about the plans.