Leading Midlands’ developer, Opus Land and joint venture partner, St Francis Group, have attracted major government funding via Sandwell Council and the Black Country LEP, to fast track their 22–acre, Opus Blueprint mixed use development at Wednesbury.
The Growing Places Fund – designed to boost local economies by financing essential infrastructure – has supplied £2.5 million to get the project moving and create up to 500 new jobs over the next three years.
The site, next to Junction 9 of the M6 at Wednesbury, has already obtained outline planning consent for 475,000 sq ft of B2 and B8 (industrial and warehousing) accommodation.
Says Opus Land, Director, Richard Smith: “The joint track record of St Francis and Opus is an ideal partnership to realise the potential of this site. Our combined experience in delivering regeneration across brown field sites through site management and development as well as investment is the optimum blend of skills to ensure a positive outcome for Opus Blueprint and for Sandwell.”
Sandwell Councillor Ian Jones said: “Sandwell offers existing occupiers wishing to expand, or businesses from outside the area looking for suitable new locations, a chance to move to an area with a strong manufacturing tradition, existing supply chains and employment support”.
“We want to encourage companies to take advantage of the great working environment and the skilled, young workforce available in Sandwell.”
The funding will be allocated to address key obstacles that have stalled development relating to infrastructure and access constraints. St Francis Group will repay the loan on completion, allowing the funds to be recycled for other projects within the Black Country.