Development of two plots set to begin at business park

Work to develop two plots at a Staffordshire business park in preparation for new occupiers will soon get under way.

One is on the main i54 South Staffordshire site, with the other on the recently completed western extension, which provides a further 60 acres for business development.

An access road will first be built for the occupier on the main site, beginning next month, while construction on the western extension plot will start later this month.

The i54 South Staffordshire management team is now marketing the final plot on the western extension.

i54 South Staffordshire was delivered by a partnership of Staffordshire County Council, the City of Wolverhampton Council and South Staffordshire Council. The western extension was completed last year and will support the creation of more than 1,000 jobs when fully occupied.

The extension includes around 42 acres of fully serviced factory platforms ready for new occupiers to build units on for advanced manufacturing, technology, training and innovation.

The works included the construction of a 1km road linking the main i54 site to the new extension, new footpaths and cycleways, diverting and improving the public bridleway, drainage works, the planting of 10,000 trees and the development of a further access road to serve future occupiers.

Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “Further development at i54 South Staffordshire is great news for the site and the local economy, with more employment opportunities in the pipeline. We know the occupiers want to be operating as soon as possible.

“Seeing construction beginning of the final plots along with the main i54 South Staffordshire site along with the first on the western extension is a significant milestone. With other businesses ready to begin development soon and keen interest in the remaining plot, we can expect to see more activity in the coming months.

“The success of i54 South Staffordshire demonstrates how we’re delivering on our long-term economic growth strategy. This sets out how we plan to develop our key transport corridors, complete major infrastructure projects with partners and attract investors which support job creation. Ultimately this activity generates business rates which in turn supports the funding of public services.

“The strength of our partnership with the City of Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire councils has been the real driver in the success achieved so far.”

City of Wolverhampton Council deputy leader and cabinet member for city economy Stephen Simkins said: “We are determined to build on the success of what is already one of the UK’s premier advanced manufacturing business parks – and these construction works mean we are now very close to welcoming new occupiers at i54.

“The power of this cannot be underestimated in terms of the boost to our economy and the hundreds of good-quality jobs it will deliver for local people.

“i54 is also just one of the many investment opportunities we promoted through the Wolverhampton Investment Prospectus at MIPIM last week and the i54 partnership with Staffordshire County Council and South Staffordshire Council is a prime example of how effective our collaborative approach to delivering on skills, jobs and growth is.”

South Staffordshire Council leader Roger Lees said: “i54 South Staffordshire continues to be one of the flagship sites for our district in terms of future growth, prosperity and highly skilled jobs.

“As a district council we always look to ensure we balance our growth aspirations for advanced manufacturing and quality jobs, with our environmental and social responsibilities and I’m pleased that there have been minimal environmental impacts, we’ve planted 10,000 trees and improved local amenities including bridleways and footpaths alongside the creation of around 1,000 jobs in advanced manufacturing.”