PLANS to borrow up to £30 million to keep a Midland regeneration project alive have been unanimously backed by councillors.

Solihull Council will use the cash to keep the £1.6 billion scheme in the north of the borough on track.

The move will mean new village centres at Craig Croft and North Arran Way can go ahead, as can plans to continue with a programme to build new primary schools or remodel existing ones.

Council leader Ian Hedley said he was delighted the borrowing bid had been approved and was heartened by support from all three main political parties.

“I was very pleased it went through and am very pleased it is back on track,” he said.

“It was unanimous across the chamber and no-one spoke against it.”

The 15-year project – given the go-ahead in 2004 and hailed as a model of regeneration – has already been delayed by five years and was in danger of being derailed due to the economic downturn.