Developer reveals plans for net zero business park which could create 2,000 jobs

Plans to create a major net zero ready employment park and increase coverage of the National Forest in Groby are being unveiled as part of an initial consultation this week.

Development of the 57-hectare site, located next to the A50, has potential to create over 2,000 jobs across the manufacturing, light industrial and logistics sectors, said the company behind the scheme IM Properties.

The firm said the plans are at a “very early” stage and include proposals to increase coverage of the National Forest, with plans to create a new five-acre community woodland on a nearby site known as the Klondyke. Combined with “extensive” new tree planting and landscaping across the employment park, this could generate over 20 acres of new woodland.

IM Properties says it aims to provide a home for local and national companies needing to expand and improve their existing accommodation, while also attracting successful new businesses to the area. The firm says it has already received “significant” occupier interest in its plans, including from a number of businesses with long-standing links to the local area, and discussions continue.

When completed and fully operational, the development has the potential to generate an estimated £182 million GVA productivity boost, says IM.

Climate mitigation will also be a key focus, with commercial buildings carefully designed and built to be net zero ready – incorporating renewable technologies to minimise the use of fossil fuels – and a green transport strategy designed to minimise vehicle emissions. The vision for outdoor areas is to ensure the natural environment overall is in a measurably better condition than it is now.

The early vision for the site is being revealed this week as part of a public consultation that provides local people with an opportunity to input into the plans. IM Properties wants to explore how its plans can deliver benefits for local people – from new green spaces and outdoor amenities to support for community projects and initiatives.

The consultation is being promoted throughout the local area and is being hosted on the project website – www.impgroby.co.uk.

A webinar is also being held on Tuesday 22 February to introduce the development team and answer questions from the community. Anyone can register for the webinar via the project website.

The community can also input into the consultation at two in-person consultation events being held nearby:

⦁ Thursday 10 March (5.00pm to 8.00pm) at Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club, 16-18 Leicester Road, Groby LE6 0DJ
⦁ Saturday 12 March (10.00am to 4.00pm) at Dining Hall, Brookvale Groby Learning Campus, Ratby Road, Groby LE6 0FP

The comments and feedback received will help to shape the plans with a second stage of consultation planned for the spring.

David Smith, planning director at IM Properties said: “In line with company objectives, the site has the potential to provide a new, net zero ready space for homegrown and global companies where carbon emissions are balanced to be zero or negative during the construction phase, and carbon performance is optimised ready for operation.

“The development has the potential to create significant new jobs, support resilience in the local economy, and help drive sustainable growth in Leicestershire. We’re speaking to local businesses that need new space but want to stay in the area and we can help them do that.

“As part of our plans, we also want to create a community woodland on nearby land at the Klondyke, which can become a real community asset for local people while enhancing biodiversity and climate mitigation.

“We want to work with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and local stakeholders to develop high-quality and considered proposals for the site. In doing so, we can shape the best possible scheme for the area, and look to maximise positive outcomes for the environment, community and local economy.”

“The council is currently consulting on its draft local plan, and we will be submitting representations that explain the benefits of including this development as part of its strategy for sustainable growth.”