Birmingham's New Street railway station is set to benefit from a major overhaul as part of the £600m Gateway scheme, after detailed plans were given the go ahead by the local authority.

Birmingham City Council (BCC) has now awarded planning permission more than two years after outline consent was granted for the scheme, designed to provide improved facilities for residents, rail passengers and local businesses. Under the proposals, the station will benefit from a new concourse more than treble the size of the existing one, as well as improved platforms, upgraded pedestrian links and a new facade.

Network Rail route director Jo Kaye said: "New Street station will be transformed into a 21st century transport hub. With the backing of the planning authority we are one step closer to realising this vision." BCC leader Mike Whitby added: "The redeveloped New Street Gateway will provide a focal point for far wider regeneration of the entire city over the next 10-15 years, and is one of the main components of the city's £6bn worth of publicly funded regeneration projects currently on our book."