A private development partner is being sought for a 44-acre brownfield site within the Black Country Enterprise Zone.
Walsall Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which owns the former IMI Copper Works site, have been discussing the potential for the renamed Phoenix 10 plot for several years. Both organisations say they are now ready to start the search for a developer willing to tackle both the clean-up and construction process.
Previously the local authority has said the site would be suitable for research and development, industrial processes, general industry or warehouse and logistics facilities. In total Phoenix 10 has the potential to provide up to 480,000 sq ft of floorspace and create 600 jobs.
As an interim measure the HCA is preparing a planning application to undertake site management works. This will include fencing improvements allowing a former council owned waste tip to be added to the main Phoenix 10 site.
It’s expected the selection and procurement process could take as long as 18 months with the completion of any development not expected before 2022.
“There are very few sites of this size in the region which could make a massive contribution to employment opportunities for local people,” commented Mohammad Nazir, Walsall Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration. “Delivery of the Phoenix 10 site is not only important for the economy of Walsall but the region as a whole.”
Anne-Marie Simpson is head of area for Midlands Central at the HCA. “We know through working closely with the council how important this site is to the future growth of the borough,” she said. “We also believe the private sector will give us the best opportunity to get this site moving and deliver the employment benefits that the site holds for Walsall.”
Situated next to the M6 motorway, Phoenix 10 is seen as a vital chunk of land within the Black Country Enterprise Zone. The wider zone encompasses 13 other Darlaston sites together with five in nearby Wolverhampton, including the i54 development where Jaguar Land Rover is building a £500m engine plant.
In October, work started on a £26m highways improvement scheme in Darlaston designed to unlock land and enhance local transport links for existing and new businesses enterprise zone tenants.
