Phoenix Rising: Walsall's Big Prospect Landing By Q4 2023
The 620K SF redevelopment of Phoenix 10, one of the largest industrial sites in the West Midlands, has now won planning permission.
The move brings closer the prospect of progress at an intractable 44-acre brownfield site. It has been derelict for more than 20 years.
Walsall councillors approved the proposals for the former home of the James Bridge Copper Works at which it was disclosed that developer HBD envisages up to 10% offices, and/or up to 55% industrial uses, and/or up to 100% storage and distribution within the total of 620K SF.
“Flexibility is sought within the outline planning consent to allow for the development to be marketed and tailored to suit the needs of the employment floorspace market,” councillors were told in a report.
HBD is working with Walsall Council, Homes England, West Midlands Combined Authority and Black Country LEP on the project.
The site is next to the M6 motorway with access from junctions 9 and 10.
HBD said site remediation will begin in the autumn for completion by late 2023.
The site has been subject to a mix of former industrial uses including a colliery and brickworks. More recently, the former IMI Copper Works were located at the site, which adds to the contamination issues developers’ must confront.
“This is one of the most significant industrial and logistics schemes coming forward in the West Midlands — both in terms of scale and its potential to drive business growth and investment,” HBD Executive Director Vivienne Clements said.
