Land deal paves the way for new speculative build at Advanced Manufacturing Hub
The sale of a large development plot within Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub has cleared the way for the construction of a large speculatively-built industrial unit.
Barberry Developments has purchased the 2.9-acre site from Birmingham City Council and Homes England.
The council has followed the sale by granting a Local Development Order for the site, clearing the way for Barberry to begin construction of a 65,000 sq ft industrial unit.
Barberry has appointed contractors Benniman for the construction project, with work set to start straight away.
Barberry development director Jon Robinson said the project would be known as Barberry 65 and the construction work was set to complete by the end of Q3 this year.
Also set to complete shortly is a second Barberry scheme, a 46,000 sq ft industrial unit – known as Barberry46 – on the A34 Walsall Road, Perry Barr.
Mr Robinson said: “Birmingham and the West Midlands is in dire need of more high quality industrial space and so we are very pleased to be able to move on to the construction phase at the Advanced Manufacturing Hub.
“The AMH development complements several other schemes that Barberry is delivering within the region. We believe our investment will generate strong demand from both regional, national and global manufacturing, light industrial and research and development businesses – ultimately generating jobs, economic growth and regeneration for the region.”
As part of the AMH, the land benefits from a Local Development Order, which grants planning consent for manufacturing, light industrial and R&D use without the need for a conventional application.
The new property will be the second speculative development at the AMH, following the 94,500 sq ft Apollo building which completed and was subsequently let to Salts Healthcare.
HydraForce Hydraulics was the first occupier to commit to the AMH in 2014, with more than 500 staff now based there at its 120,000 sq ft (11,148 sq m) European headquarters. Additionally, global tool manufacturer Guhring has developed a 50,000 sq ft (4,645 sq m) factory at the site, which accommodates R&D and the full manufacturing process.
Charlie Spicer, industrial director at Savills – which advised the city council on the deal, said: “Barberry’s investment and confidence in the AMH is another major milestone in the progression of the scheme and highlights its growing maturity. Enquiry levels for mid – box units of between 30,000 – 80,000 sq ft has continued to increase and Barberry are set to provide a suitable building to satisfy these occupier requirements.”
Karl Tupling, General Manager for the Midlands at Homes England, said: “We have played a vital role in land assembly, demolition and remediation to bring land forward for commercial development at the successful Advanced Manufacturing Hub. This in turn is reinforcing Aston as a location for high value manufacturing, so it’s great to see Barberry joining the growing list of companies investing in world class facilities at the Advanced Manufacturing Hub to provide skilled manufacturing jobs for local people.”
Savills and JLL are the retained property consultants for Barberry. Barberry will be promoting the latest project as part of its display to this year’s MIPIM property exhibition, which takes place in Cannes next month.
