The many benefits of locating a business at a key £120 million development in Worcestershire – which is expected to create around 5,000 jobs – were highlighted when leading property agents gathered at an event in London.
The audience heard that plans have been submitted for the first two large industrial/warehouse units to be developed at Worcester Six 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 the site – 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. More than 50 leading property agents attended the event at Strutt & Parker’s offices at Hill Street, London, where the latest plans were unveiled by Liberty and Stoford.
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.
Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust, told the agents: “Worcester Six is an exciting development with enormous potential. We are targeting high quality tenants across the greater Midlands market as well as the local market. 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.”
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.”
Councillor Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure, said: “Worcester Six sends out a very positive message to the rest of the business world that Worcestershire is the ideal place for development and investment.”
Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Worcester Six benefits from a skilled workforce and connectivity to one of the best road transport networks in the UK. The key employment site will bring a significant number of jobs to the county.”
