£100m Walsall logistics development takes a step forward
Progress has been made on plans to redevelop the former James Bridge Copper Works site into a £100m logistics and manufacturing hub.
SPARK in Walsall, has the potential to generate up to 1,100 jobs on the largest undeveloped brownfield site in the Black Country, which has been vacant for 20 years.
Walsall Council planning officers have approved the proposal for the initial phase of the project after which is being delivered by HBD in partnership with the council, Homes England, West Midlands Combined Authority and Black Country LEP.
Justin Sheldon, head of region at HBD, said: “Enabling Works for SPARK is now drawing to a close – construction is expected to begin on the delivery of the first three units this summer, which can be ready for occupation as soon as H1 2025.
“SPARK is one of the most exciting industrial and logistics developments in the Midlands – both in terms of its size and scale and its importance to the region. Once complete, the 44-acre scheme will provide a total of up to 620,000 sq. ft. of sustainable, high-spec space for logistics and manufacturing companies. It’s fantastic to be approaching the end of the first phase of the project and we look forward to seeing SPARK begin to take shape.”
The first phase of the project includes the creation of an internal spine road and the installation of the first substation. A decision on the reserved matters planning application is expected to come in the next few weeks.
Developers submitted a reserved matters planning application to the local authority in October, seeking approval for the construction of the first three units on the site.
Contractor John F Hunt has made significant progress in the cleanup operation, having excavated and treated 1.3 million tonnes of soil and processed 150,000 tonnes of concrete, with the entire process expected to conclude by summer.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration at Walsall Council, said: “I am pleased that progress on SPARK is continuing at a good pace, the recent approval of the internal spine road and substation is another milestone in the development of this major site’.
The first units will be ready for occupation in Q1 2025.
