Hortons’ Estate Ltd wins approval for speculative Black Country industrial scheme

Planners have granted approval for the development of 40,000 sq ft of new industrial accommodation at a commercial location in the Black Country.

Independent property company, Hortons’ Estate Ltd will develop a trio of new units on a vacant plot of land at Electrium Point, Willenhall.

The largest of the three buildings will be a 20,000 sq ft industrial/warehouse unit, with Hortons’ developing two additional units of 10,000 sq ft each, which can be combined to form a single, larger space.

The scheme will benefit from strong sustainability credentials, including photovoltaic roof panels and EV charging stations, with Hortons’ targeting an EPC ‘A’ rating. Other features will include 50 kN/m2 floor loading capacities, 8m clear heights and level access doors.

James Slater, head of building surveying and development at Hortons’, said that work on the new developments would start in Q1 2023, with the project programmed for completion in Q4 2023.

He said: “Electrium Point is a popular and established industrial location, with good road links and a strong list of existing tenants. We have earmarked the development of this vacant plot of land as a means of expanding the accommodation available at the complex. Local market demand continues to outstrip the supply of small industrial units of this type and we’re confident that there will be significant occupier interest in the scheme.”

Hortons’ acquired Electrium Point in 2003 and has since developed accommodation on the complex on behalf of Walsall Council and West Midlands Ambulance Service.

The site is located approximately one mile from Willenhall town centre and less than two miles from Jct 10 of the M6 via Clarke’s Lane (A462) and Wolverhampton Road West (B4464). Wolverhampton city centre lies c.3 miles to the west and Walsall town centre is c.3 miles to the east.