A vision to create a £120 million technology park which could provide over 5,000 new jobs and give Worcestershire’s economy a major boost will be unveiled to local residents this weekend.
Leading Birmingham-based commercial property developer Stoford has been appointed as the development partner by landowner The Spetchley Estate to deliver the vision for the 70-acre site near junction 6 of the M5.
A public consultation on the detailed proposals is due to take place at Tibberton Village Hall, Plough Road, Tibberton, from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday, October 11. Visitors will have an opportunity to discuss the proposals in detail with the developers and planners.
Stoford is a leading specialist in occupier-focused development. It has delivered over 10 million sq ft of pre-let development and in 2012 to 2014 had more than 1.5 million sq ft of pre-let space under construction throughout the UK.
They have appointed lead planning consultants Barton Willmore to submit a reserved matters planning application by early November. The entire scheme could provide up to 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation in business units.
Work on local off-site highway improvements could be scheduled for commencement before the end of this year with further on-site infrastructure being procured and constructed by the middle of next year.
The development site has been identified by Worcestershire County Council, and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP), as one of four key ‘game changer’ sites which are key employment sites seen as important in driving the county’s economic future prosperity.
The new proposals are even more ecologically sensitive than the previous plan, retaining ancient woodland and putting an area of wetland right at the heart of the development, according to Stoford director Gerard Ludlow. The company will be working alongside the Environment Agency, the Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Ramblers Association and local councils.
Gerard added: “We are inviting local residents and business people to come along to the planning consultation. It is very important to us that we get the views of people from the Worcester area, and we are keen to demonstrate how the proposed development will have a major positive impact on the county’s economic prosperity.”