David Lock Associates, John Thompson & Partners and EDAW are among the architects in competition to draw up a masterplan for West Bromwich in the West Midlands.
The client is Sandwell Urban Regeneration Company, which is made up of Sandwell council, Advantage West Midlands and English Partnerships.

It has drawn up a brief for six months' work, which consists of an area for regeneration of approximately 9 km2.

The company will draw up a shortlist and make a decision next Tuesday. The winning practice will start work the following week.

John Thompson and Partners is part of a consortium led by property agent FPDSavills. Architect PRP is also understood to be considering a bid.

A representative of one of the bidding parties praised the quality of the brief.

He said: "There is an issue with masterplans being drawn up and then not delivered. This brief is very well written, with a real emphasis on delivery."