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Planning News and Deals
Ambitious proposals have been unveiled to create ‘Walsall Gigaport’, a 21st century technology platform to attract new industries to the region and help deliver a strategically important office corridor to the town.
Walsall Regeneration Company (WRC) is driving the £400m, 1.7m sq ft scheme to exploit next generation broadband and associated technologies in what is heralded as a UK first. The £400m development is over and above the £500m already committed to the town centre by 2010.
An outline planning application to transform an area adjacent to the town’s northern ring road was submitted on 12 December by WRC.
The £80m Phase One will see the creation of a Walsall hub data centre to act as the focus for the development and co-location of IT-based industries and provide national and international connectivity.
A Business Innovation Centre, with high quality offices and incubator units to attract inward investment and support enterprise, is another key component. Completing the first phase is the One Gigaport office complex with high quality office space and public realm to set the tone for the whole development.
It is anticipated that Phase One will create 635 jobs and the data and business centres will be operational by 2010.
In addition to the Gigaport vision, WRC has already secured £500m of investment for the town centre by 2010. Regeneration is under way with a new Walsall College and a new Manor Hospital being built.
Work is due to begin shortly on projects at the Waterfront and planning is at an advanced stage to develop Canalside Communities.
Birmingham
Kenmore Property Group has submitted a planning application to Birmingham City Council for the redevelopment of No. 1 Snow Hill Plaza for a new mixed-use development which will enhance the city’s skyline.
Proposals for the £230m investment comprise a new 57,859 sq m commercial scheme, which will provide working space for up to 2,500 people. The 40,000 sq m of grade A office space has been designed with flexible floor plates in order to allow multiple occupancy, but can also accommodate large, blue chip companies. An additional 1,500 sq m will also be provided at ground floor level for a mix of retail and leisure uses, such as bars, restaurants and cafes. In addition, 175 car parking spacers and 116 cycle spaces will be provided over three levels of basement parking.
Situated at the junction of two primary traffic routes, Snow Hill Queensway and St Chad’s Queensway on the site of the existing 20 storey, 70 metre Kennedy Tower, the proposals new building will provide up to 29 storeys, up to 118m in height. At lower levels the building will be cut back to increase public space at ground level. This will facilitate active use day and night and establish an urban boulevard link to St Chads.
The planning application follows extensive consultation with the City Council, adjoining property owners and the wider public to establish the design principles for the redevelopment. If approved, construction works are expected to commence in 2009 with completion anticipated in 2011.
The professional team working on the planning proposals also includes Turley Associates, WSP Group, Davis Langdon, PCM Safety and GVA Second London Wall. GSD provided agency advice.
Gainsborough
The Greater Lincoln Partnership has welcomed planning consent which will see a disused industrial site in Gainsborough converted into an £18.5m state-of-the-art mixed-use development.
The 1 ha site, previously owned by Gainsborough Steel, adjoins the celebrated Marshalls Yard retail and office development, which opened in Gainsborough earlier this year.
Dransfield Properties, who were also responsible for the development of the innovative Marshalls Yard complex, are already working on the site which will retain many of the original Gainsborough Steel features, in a move to ensure the development supports the history and heritage of the town.
As with the first phase of development at Marshalls Yard, the site has been subject to stringent planning requirements as this latest development incorporates a grade II listed Pattern Store. This is being converted to flexible units aimed at start-up businesses, as part of a country-wide strategy aimed at supporting entrepreneurship, and is due for completion in February 2008.
Developer Stamford Homes will start work on building 111 residential dwellings in January 2008.
The development of the site will also incorporate a face lift for the approach to Gainsborough Central Station, with the construction of a 150-space long stay car park, new footpaths and cycle ways, street lighting and CCTV linked into a security centre at Marshalls Yard – again due for completion in February 2008.
Solihull
HGB Properties is to develop 170,000 sq ft of office space at the Aspire site close to J4 on the M42.
The first phase of the development, which will start in February 2008, will comprise two buildings of 24,000 sq ft and 39,000 sq ft and is expected to be available in spring 2009.
HGB properties acquired the 29-acre site from Morley Fund Management. As part of the deal 17 acres of the site will be made available to Solihull Council for the development of a country park.
Tamworth
Gazeley has secured planning permission for a new 220,000 sq ft bespoke distribution facility in Tamworth.
In the last 12 months Gazeley has completed the purchase of the site, secured planning consent and signed a deal with Mobis Parts Europe UK. The recently concluded pre sale deal will see significant inward investment bought into the area.
Gazeley has appointed contractor McClarens for the £18m project, which is due for completion in the second quarter of 2008. This is the latest deal at the Tamworth site, following the land sale to parcel operator UPS, and the pre let to Bristan Taps.
ATIS Real acted for Gazeley UK Ltd and Savills advised Mobis.