Plans have been submitted for the first two large industrial/warehouse units to be developed at a key site in Worcestershire by Liberty Property Trust and Stoford Developments as part of a wider joint development agreement between them.
Subject to detailed planning permission, the units of 160,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft will be the first to be built at Worcester Six – which will provide up to 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation in a range of high quality business units. They have been designed for a variety of employment uses to include technology, manufacturing, industrial and warehousing.
Worcester County Council expects the wider £120 million park, located near junction 6 of the M5, to create around 5,000 jobs once the whole development is complete.
Work on a £10 million infrastructure package for the park is making good progress.
Highways improvements to access the site have been funded by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Growth Deal.
Stoford director Gerard Ludlow said: “Our decision to progress development of the first two units on this important scheme is an exciting step forward for Worcester Six. We look forward to making a start on site once planning consent is achieved. Our aim is to complete construction of the two units by the first quarter of 2017.
“This is the first large scale speculative development in the Worcester area for more than 10 years and clearly demonstrates confidence in Worcester Six.”
Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust, added: “We are targeting tenants across the greater Midlands market as well as the local market and this first phase will give us the best opportunity to attract and secure inward investment into the region and to nurture local technology-based businesses.”
Councillor Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure at Worcestershire County Council, said: “This first phase in the Worcester Six development highlights Worcestershire’s credentials as a location in which to invest. We are thrilled to welcome Liberty Property Trust and Stoford to Worcestershire and the investment into the existing workforce we have throughout the county. This latest development is a key indicator of the rate of success at which the site has grown and sends out a positive message to the rest of the business world that Worcestershire is the place for development and investment.”
Gary Woodman, Executive Director of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Worcester Six has connectivity to one of the best road transport networks in the UK and is able to draw on a nearby skilled workforce.
“I am pleased that Liberty Property Trust and Stoford Developments have recognised the great opportunity Worcester Six provides as a key employment site that will bring significant jobs to Worcestershire.”
