Businesses voice support for major employment park
Members of Birmingham’s business community have voiced their support for proposals for a major new employment park in Minworth that would deliver thousands of jobs.
The Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, which represents the interests of local businesses across the town, has welcomed proposals for the Peddimore development that could create up to 6,500 direct jobs, support a further 3,000 jobs across the wider region and attract leading manufacturing and logistics companies to the area.
A planning application for the Peddimore development that was submitted by IM Properties (IMP) in January has been recommended for approval and is due to be determined by Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee on 15 August.
Subject to permission being granted, work could begin on site later this year.
IMP will deliver the site and is seeking permission to deliver 66.5 hectares of employment space and infrastructure.
Chris Brewerton, head of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, is backing IMP’s plans for the site.
He said: “The significant investment at Peddimore is set to attract key logistics and manufacturing businesses to the local area over the coming years. The benefit will be felt keenly across Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham and will bring new jobs, further prosperity and encourage spending from contractors, tenants and employees throughout the construction and eventual completion of the site.”
Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “Providing opportunities for major logistics and manufacturing brands to move into the park and increased spending across the local economy will have major benefits for the area.”
If granted planning consent, IMP would to undertake a programme of highways and infrastructure improvements, including a new signal-controlled roundabout on the A38 and a traffic-free bridge over the A38 to connect pedestrians and cyclists to the proposed Langley Urban Extension and beyond.
Peddimore will include a 4km pedestrian and cycle path planned to circle the site.
David Smith, planning director for IMP, said: “Our vision for Peddimore is to create a high-quality development that attracts leading national and international manufacturing and logistics businesses, delivers a best in class employment location and a social and economic asset that Royal Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham can be proud of. This includes looking where possible to work with local suppliers across a range of services and open up opportunities for SMEs and social enterprises.
“We have already held a ‘meet the buyer’ event and promoted the development extensively to local businesses and SMEs, to highlight potential commercial opportunities. If the application is approved, we will continue to hold similar events throughout the construction process.”
