Plans lodged for major Birmingham logistics scheme

Plans have been submitted to build 270,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics space, on a former automotive component manufacturing site in Erdington, Birmingham.

The £77m development is a joint venture between developer Chancerygate and sustainable impact investor Bridges Fund Management.

Aiming to create a scheme with 22 leasehold units ranging from 4,500 sq ft to 60,000 sq ft, the development will be called Torque.

Nearby occupiers include Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo, and Selco Builders Warehouse, along with other retail and industrial parks.

Chancerygate development manager, Rob Watts, said: “There is unsatisfied demand from SME occupiers in Birmingham and across the West Midlands for high quality, sustainable urban logistics units in prime locations. Torque will aim to satisfy this by providing flexibly sized, high-specification space on what is regarded as one of the city’s most prominent sites.

“Our proposed plans will regenerate a redundant building into new Grade A accommodation which will be of interest to a range of prospective occupiers. We look forward to working with Birmingham City Council and stakeholders to bring forward this much needed highly specified development.”

Chancerygate and Bridges are also negotiating with two parties for the sale of two plots at the front of the estate.

All units at Torque will have electric vehicle charging points and solar panels, aiming for an will be targeting EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent.

Guy Bowden, partner at Bridges Fund Management, said: “We hope to transform this disused building into high-quality, highly sustainable logistics units that can support new jobs and boost the local economy.

 “Erdington is an ideal location for this kind of development, and we believe these units will be attractive to a wide variety of SME occupiers. Our focus on sustainability is key to this: it enables us to offer occupiers lower running costs – thanks to smart design and on-site renewables – while also helping them achieve their own ESG goals through lower emissions.”

Agents for Torque are Knight Frank and Gerald Eve.