PLANS to build a large retail development on a former Oldbury foundry have finally been drawn up – after 20 years of dereliction.

Proposals for the 12-acre site close to the town centre include a discount foodstore, six retail units, a foodstore, two restaurants and a drive through takeaway.

An application for the multi-million pound scheme on the site of the Hunt Brothers Griffin Foundry has been submitted to Sandwell planners by landowners Hammerson (Oldbury) Ltd, whose portfolio includes the Birmingham Bullring Shopping Centre.

The plan includes 555 car parking spaces and traffic lights at the junction to Bromford Road.

The land, which is also bordered by West Bromwich Street and Fountain Lane, has been vacant since 2003 when the disused foundry was demolished to make way for a large retail and leisure development, called The Junction, that was never built.

Oldbury councillor Suzanne Hartwell welcomed the planning application as a “much-needed regeneration scheme”.

She added: “Everyone I have spoken to is very supportive of the plans. It will bring new businesses and jobs and is great news for the town. It will enhance the town centre by adding more variety.”

Architects Leicester-based Stephen George and Partners said in their design and access statement: “The proposal should respect the site’s key location in its relationship to Oldbury town centre and the integration of it to the cycle and footway network should be a principal consideration, as should be the arrangements for access for all abilities.

“The proposal should also strive to have a positive contribution to its local environment through the quality of design and should reflect the evolution of retail park design to offer a comfortable and enjoyable shopping experience.”

There will be three car parking zones within the development, with 325 spaces allocated to the main retail area, 129 to the discount foodstore and 101 to the restaurants.

Forty four cycle stands will also be included and along with landscaping there will be enhanced pedestrian links.

The units will have a maximum height of 11m for the retail terrace and 8m for the discount foodstore.