Land sales stimulate significant job creation in Telford

An innovative investment scheme to free up land in Telford is on the verge of creating its 1,000th job.

By enabling land deals worth £23m, it has boosted the local economy by an estimated £236m.

The land sales are set to stimulate building of 930,000 sq ft of commercial space and nearly 600 homes.

Telford & Wrekin Council leads on the Telford Land Deal as it manages and invests in sites on behalf of landowner, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), acting to remove barriers to development and attract potential investors.

Shaun Davies, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “We’re building on our strengths in the automotive supply chain, polymers and manufacturing arenas, and seeing new specialisms emerging, particularly in areas such as digital and agritech. 

“The huge increase in investment we’ve experienced from both UK and overseas firms is a clear sign of the strength of and growing confidence in Telford as a business destination. For local people this means more jobs, more homes and building a better borough for the future.”

The council, working through its inward investment and business support service Enterprise Telford, ensures businesses and property developers have a “soft landing” and that suitable sites are available for immediate development.

It provides logistical assistance in improving site access, utility provisions and drainage, as well as helping to secure planning certainty prior to sale. 

The Land Deal is credited with helping to secure record levels of foreign direct investment into the area. The most high profile of these is aluminium castings business Magna International, which is building a 225,000 sq ft factory close to Jaguar Land Rover’s site.