Parkhill Estates breaks ground on major regen site

GROUND testing works are to start on a major reclamation project in Walsall that could eventually lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs.

The former IMI copper works in Pleck is a prime development site right next to the M6, however, the land is bad contaminated by heavy metals and a major clean-up has to take place before any regeneration can progress.

A £5.88m bid for Regional Growth Fund cash has already been submitted and Walsall Borough Council is awaiting a decision on this – along with hundreds of other organisations around the UK to have submitted bids for RGF cash.

In the meantime, the council is progressing with borehole drilling to test the condition of the land, which is currently owned by Advantage West Midlands but which will be transferred to another body when the regional development agency closes next year.

The drilling work, which will last five weeks, begins on Monday (February 28).

Cllr Adrian Andrew, deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The IMI site – or Phoenix 10 as it is now known – is heavily contaminated.

“We have been working with partner Parkhill for the long term aim of restoring this land and allowing the flowers of enterprise to bloom here.

“It’s a long road but a vital step along this road are tests to understand the condition of the land.”

Parkhill Estates managing director Niall Crabb said:”The Parkhill Group welcomes the opportunity to partner with the council to remediate and redevelop this strategically important site.”

Restoration and development of the land would see £18m invested, £12m by Parkhill and the remainder hopefully being supplied through the RGF and managed through the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.

The council is seeking a further £30m from the government to fund an extensive road improvement scheme around the 35-acre site.

As part of the highways project, key junctions and roads in Darlaston would be widened to help the flow of traffic to the Phoenix 10 site and wider area.