Sandwell's regeneration chief today(FRIDAY) welcomed a multi-million Tesco development that is set to be the catalyst for the transformation of West Bromwich town centre.

Tesco has now officially submitted formal planning application for the long-awaited development in the town.

Cllr Bob Badham, Cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said he was delighted that the scheme was now in its final stages.

He said: "Sandwell Council very much welcomes the new planning application from Tesco.

"I believe that the new plan gives us a far better scheme than we had envisaged.

"The advantage of using eco-friendly design, for example, natural ventilation and lighting, will help us to reduce our carbon footprint in Sandwell.

"The design of the new centre is not conventional. It will provide an open public space linking the centre to Queen’s Square, The Public and Dartmouth Park, providing easy access to some of the other town centre developments."

Cllr Badham, who has been at the forefront of the plans for the last 10 years, added: "This will completely transform the town centre and will brings thousands of new jobs to the area."

Rob Lee, Sandwell's director of planning, added: "Regeneration is rarely straightforward.

"Town centre regeneration is most complex of all, with multiple ownerships, higher costs and timing difficulties. To have brought a scheme of this magnitude this far, is a testement to all those involved, working in partnership, with the continued commitment of the Council to bring about change."

The new Tesco development will include a massive store, a 70 bedroomed hotel and petrol filling station in the 15 HA site.

It will involve the realignment  of the Town Centre Ringway, a new public square and 1,900 car parking spaces for town centre shoppers.

Tesco, which already has outline planning consent for an earlier version of the shopping centre scheme, hope to start construction work on site in Spring 2010 with the first phase completed in Autumn 2011.

The scheme has been developed  in close co-operation between Sandwell Council and RegenCo, the urban regeneration company for West Bromwich, Smethwick and Hill Top.

It will involve the relocation of the Cronehills Primary School and the existing police station.

The new school, which is already under construction, is being relocated to Dagger Lane and the police station will be rebuilt in Moor Street.

Tesco's new store will have a high number of sustainability features including rainwater harvesting systems, construction materials that promore conservation and energy efficiency and design features which promote the use of natural daylight and ventilation.

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager at Tesco, said: "We are very excited to be able to formally apply for planning permisssion for our West Bromwich scheme.

"A tremendous amount of hard work has gone into the design and planning of this project and we are confident  that it will form a major part of the regeneration of the town centre.

"We intend to provide a high quality shopping experience and, crucially, around 2,000 jobs.

"Most importantly, we have received very positive feedback from residents and traders of the town and look forward to beginning construction workon site once we have received formal approval of the planning application."

Karen Walker, chief executive of RegenCo, said: "The submission of the application marks a significant and exciting step forward in the transformation of West Bromwich Town Centre.

"The redevelopment of the town's retail hub forms part of a wider vision to deliver real changes for the benefit of all - to boost a currently under-performing economy and raise standards and expectations for the better.

"RegenCo is committed to realising the vision of the physical regeneration of the town and will continue to work with partners, including Tesco, to push forward the delivery of projects to achieve this."