Green light for major West Midlands industrial scheme

Plans for a 488,000 sq ft industrial scheme by Parkhill Estates have been approved by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council (WMBC).

The 11-heactare development site, to be known as Iron Park, can accommodate a single 488,000 sq ft unit, making it one of the biggest speculative developments underway in the West Midlands and has already attracted initial interest from industrial and manufacturing occupiers since its launch at MIPIM last year.

Occupying a strategically significant site between Birmingham and Wolverhampton and close to junctions nine and ten of the M6, the completed development will be one of the few in the area capable of delivering over 400,000 sq ft of commercial space

James Cannon, property director of Parkhill Estates, said. “Although a number of other developers have tried and failed to bring this site to life, we are confident of having delivered the most viable solution. The Iron Park development succeeds both in terms of satisfying existing occupier demand and returning the site to viable economic use after 30 years of inactivity.

We have every confidence that the development and its associated benefits will act as a catalyst for further investment and regeneration.”

The scheme was conceived in response to historic levels of demand in the region and can be delivered on either a speculative basis, or off the back of a significant pre-let.

JLL and Bromwich Hardy have been appointed as joint agents on the scheme.

Following this positive decision from WMBC, construction is expected to start this summer and the completed scheme could be ready for occupation by April 2021.

Barton Willmore are the planning consultants.