The multi-million pound new Worcester Technology Park will be a “world class proposition”.
That was the pledge from Peter Pawsey, executive chairman of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.
His comments came in the wake of a marketing start to the site which he described as “very welcome”.
Leading commercial property agents Strutt & Parker, DTZ and Harris Lamb already have their boards up.
A final go-ahead is expected in May with infrastructure work beginning the following month. The project has proposed financial backing through the Regional Growth Fund.
Details of the overall plan were announced last week by Worcestershire County Council, with more than 3,000 new jobs earmarked.
The Park is eventually due to cover 178 acres including later phases and it lies on greenfield land off Junction 6 of M5 motorway, making it “the best site between Birmingham and Bristol” in the eyes of the property agents.
Small companies will be able to take up mixed units of 10,000-25,000sq ft around the southern edges of the site. Larger occupiers will be able to buy or lease land and properties on the northern part, or to design and develop whatever fits their needs up to units of 1 million sq ft. An enterprise zone and business centre will be at the heart of the scheme.
Expanding on the reasons why the development was so important, Mr Pawsey said a major plus would be the prominence of the complex.
It is all too easy to speed along the M5 and be through Worcestershire and out the other side without realising there is anything much there.
“This will be very visible and emphasise to those unfamiliar with our County just how progressive we are seeking to be,” he noted. “In the past we have been a bit of a secret, hidden away … today we are open for business and keen to tell the world.
“Worcester is one of the UK’s historic cathedral cities, but it has a diverse growth economy with strong engineering and metal processing sectors at its heart. Along with its heritage of business success Worcestershire is now leading the way in future growth areas such as high tech, renewable energies and cyber security.
“In Worcester Technology Park we believe that we have a world class proposition, backed by a highly focused and skilled delivery partnership that will work with companies and management teams to help deliver all aspects of their business growth aspirations.
“The vision for the Technology Park is based on sustainable principles and includes a possibility of onsite renewable energy generation, management of waste and waste water treatment and water resource management. The intention is to engage local and national occupiers who are seeking high quality and more sustainable accommodation in the Worcester area.”
It is anticipated that buildings will be ready for first occupation by early to mid 2015.
The Park is targeting a variety of technology rich sectors including manufacturing, offices, research and development, high technology, logistics and light industrial.