Detailed planning consent for the development of the first commercial building at Arena Central in Birmingham has been granted by Birmingham City Council.

1 Arena Central, which fronts Broad Street and sits opposite Centenary Square, will provide 140,000 sq ft of accommodation across eight floors including 135,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, with typical floorplates of 21,000 sq ft. The building will also offer 5,000 sq ft of retail units on the ground floor and 68 car parking spaces in a secure basement environment.

1 Arena Central is the first step in the masterplan for the 9.2 acre mixed-use site, which is being delivered by Arena Central Developments Ltd (ACDL). Outline planning permission has already been approved for 2.3 million sq ft of mixed-use space, including 860,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation, over 200,000 sq ft of residential units, 2,500 car parking spaces and more than 1.2 million sq ft of retail and leisure units.

Jonathan Wallis, ACDL, said: "With reserved matters planning consent now secured, we are poised to begin the first phase of development at Arena Central in earnest and 1 Arena Central could be available to occupiers in mid 2016, ahead of the competition. Our location provides an outstanding advantage to occupiers in terms of the availability of amenities and access to transport links, with a stop on the new Midland Metro tram due to be delivered adjacent to the building's main entrance.

"The development of 1 Arena Central is the first step towards the realisation of our vision for a truly mixed-use, office-led destination in the heart of the city centre. In Arena Central, we are looking to provide a high quality location that will continue to build on Birmingham's burgeoning reputation as an attractive destination for blue chip occupiers."

Alongside 1 Arena Central, the planning committee also approved the development's infrastructure works and a modification to the site's much anticipated public realm, which will form the first element of Arena Central's phased delivery programme.

Councillor Tahir Ali, cabinet member for development, transport and the economy, said: "Birmingham is attracting considerable interest from a range of high quality international occupiers, keen to relocate or expand their businesses. Office-led developments, such as Arena Central will go a long way to securing further investments of this kind and continue to raise the standard of office accommodation in the city, as well as creating job opportunities."

Arena Central is currently home to a number of redundant buildings including the former Carlton Television studios, and a leisure club, with a multi storey car park having already been demolished.

Clearance work on the site is already underway with further demolition of the remaining buildings due to commence shortly and work on 1 Arena Central and the new public realm set to start in early 2015.