Staffordshire set for jobs boost with plans for three large commercial scheme
THREE new industrial and commercial developments capable of generating thousands of new jobs are being tabled by Staffordshire County Council.
The local authority wants to bri9ng forward schemes for Keele University Science and Innovation Park, Chatterley Valley, near Newcastle-under-Lyme and at the former Royal Ordnance factory site in Featherstone.
A sixth business innovation centre at Keele University is deemed appropriate because of the success of the other incubation units on the site.
Innovation Centre 5 (IC5) took just a year to complete after the county council invested £7m in the project. IC6 would be a similar scheme and be capable of supporting around 100 jobs in the high technology sector and provide high quality lettable space for new technology businesses.
Dr Mark Bacon, Director of Engagement and Partnerships at Keele University, said: “We are delighted that Staffordshire County Council is looking to continue its partnership with Keele in order to further develop the opportunities available for local businesses.
“Our Science and Innovation Park offers access to world-renowned research, state-of-the-art facilities and highly-skilled academics and graduates, all of which can aid businesses in developing new products and services.
“Through the county council’s investment, we can support the growth of more businesses and help to bring more high value jobs into the local area.”
At nearby Chatterley Valley, new roads infrastructure is required to service the 94-acre site within the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone. When fully developed the site could accommodate 2,150 jobs.
In South Staffordshire, the county council is hoping it can replicate the success of the i54 business site – home to Jaguar Land Rover’s £0.5bn engine manufacturing centre – by bringing the 90-acre former Royal Ordnance munitions factory site into commercial use.
It believes the site, which benefits from being close to the M54, could potentially accommodate around 2,800 jobs.
However, before the scheme can progress, a new link road to the A460 Cannock Road would be needed, together with a series of road improvements and the addition of a new roundabout entrance to the site.
The council is not phased by such work and has the experience of building a new motorway junction to serve the i54 site to call upon.
Staffordshire’s economic leader, Mark Winnington said: “Staffordshire’s huge economic success in recent years has been as a result of strong cooperation between public and private sectors and effective delivery.
“(This) announcement again demonstrates our ambition and drive to increase investment and better quality jobs.
“We are making conditions right for business whilst improving opportunities and with our partners making every effort to boost skills and productivity.”
The proposals also have the backing of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
LEP chairman David Frost said: “These developments are great illustrations of how we are working together across the public and private sectors to bring jobs and sustained growth to our area. We are delighted to see that our ambitions to create more and better jobs benefitting local communities are taking shape on the ground.
“Development is really picking up pace and it is clear that Staffordshire is proving an increasingly attractive place for businesses to locate and to grow. This is a can-do county, and we have an unbeatable combination of a central UK location, great development sites and a skilled, enthusiastic workforce.”
While the costs of each project have yet to be finalised, the county council will look to secure funding from central government and reclaim money in the longer term through business rate retention and from developers.
