HBD, part of Henry Boot, has submitted a reserved matters planning application for the second phase of SPARK, the developer’s landmark manufacturing and logistics scheme in Walsall.
The second phase will provide three sustainable, ESG-compliant units of 39,094 sq ft, 37,900 sq ft and 24,347 sq ft. Construction is expected to begin in January 2026, completing in Q3 2026.
The news follows the start of construction on the first phase last month, which is being delivered by industrial and logistics platform Origin, a joint venture between HBD and Feldberg Capital.
Once complete, SPARK will provide a total of 620,000 sq ft of BREEAM Excellent space between M6 Junctions 9 and 10, making it one of the Midlands’ best located I&L schemes. Coupled with a skilled labour pool and a 12 MVA power supply, the development offers a strong proposition for occupiers.
Ed Hutchinson, Managing Director of HBD, said: “Work is progressing quickly at SPARK with phase one on-site and expected to complete in Q4 this year, and planning now submitted for a further three units. Supply of well-located, sustainable I&L space remains constrained within the West Midlands so it’s positive to be able to deliver the scheme on a speculative basis to meet established demand.”
HBD delivered a complex two-year remediation project to clear the site for development, working with Walsall Council, Homes England, Black Country LEP and WMCA. The site was once home to the James Bridge Copper Works and was the largest undeveloped brownfield site in the Black Country.
The agents for SPARK are Cushman & Wakefield and Knight Frank.
HBD, part of Henry Boot, is one of the UK’s most well-established property developers. It boasts an impressive track record, strong financial backing and a reputation for delivery that has seen it become the partner of choice for local authorities, investors, and developers. Working with a £1.3billion development pipeline, HBD operates from six UK offices, focusing on industrial and logistics, urban development and residential projects.
