IM Properties gets set for tour of local communities to outline its plans for Peddimore

Eight exhibitions staged across a near two-week period from Tuesday November 20 to Saturday December 1 will outline how IM Properties’ (IMP) proposals could deliver up 6,500 new jobs at the site, as well as a major social value programme including skills and training for local people and a £270,000 community fund.

IMP, a significant investor in the Midlands, has been appointed by Birmingham City Council to deliver the first phase of the allocated Peddimore employment park after a highly competitive bidding process.

David Smith, planning director at IM Properties said:

“This is the largest public consultation we have embarked on as a company and we’re dedicating significant time and resources to engage with local communities, to shape our proposals and ensure that Peddimore can be a catalyst for economic growth in Royal Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham.

“Our public exhibitions are an important opportunity for people to talk to us and provide feedback on the proposed plans, including the skills and training opportunities on offer and we look forward to engaging with communities.”

David continued: “Peddimore could create up to 6,500 direct jobs and up to 3,000 more across the wider region through supply chains supporting the leading international and UK businesses that we hope to attract across the manufacturing and logistics sectors.

“We are particularly pleased to be also unveiling a major social value programme that will help to deliver our own commitment to delivering sustainable projects, which provide a positive long-term legacy for future generations.”

The social value programme will include:

• A long-term commitment to working with local training providers and schools, providing access to the wide range of skilled jobs on offer
• A £270,000 Peddimore Community Fund to support local projects
• Support for ten schools and up to 3,000 students, including delivering industry awareness days
• Help for disadvantaged people in finding work
• Funding, mentoring and supporting 25 new students on the Building Birmingham Scholarship programme.

David added: “We understand transport will be a key focus for many local people and with other key stakeholders we are committed to delivering a sustainable transport strategy which supports the creation of a wider Green Travel District for Peddimore, Langley and wider Royal Sutton Coldfield, Minworth and Walmley.

“The aim is to improve the mobility of people and goods to reduce reliance on the private car, promote walking and cycling to minimise impact on local roads, and improve air quality and accessibility to the site.”

Highways infrastructure proposals for the site include: the creation of a new grade signal-controlled roundabout on the A38; a new traffic-free bridge over the A38 to allow pedestrians and cyclists to access the site and the proposed Langley Urban Extension safely; and a programme of junction upgrades on the strategic and local road network.

Peddimore will be built to the highest standards of building design and will include substantial and attractive landscaping, featuring a circular 4km pedestrian and cycle path around the site. It will include measures to reduce environmental impact by deploying smart grid technology and provide on-site amenities and first-class management throughout construction and operations to deliver growth in a considerate way.

David concluded: “This is a major opportunity to create a great place to work and major economic asset for the region which we can all be proud. We welcome working in partnership with local stakeholders and communities to make this happen”

Following the public exhibitions, IMP will prepare a planning application which will be submitted to Birmingham City Council in early 2019. If the application is approved, infrastructure works could commence in summer 2019.

Birmingham City Council recently prepared a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for Peddimore to provide detailed guidance to ensure that the site is designed and developed comprehensively. This was published for consultation in September 2018 and is expected to be adopted in early 2019. IM Properties’ public exhibitions are separate to this consultation.

The public exhibitions will be held on:

• Tuesday 20 November, 3:00pm - 8:00pm, at The Sanctuary, Castle Vale, Tangmere Road, Castle Vale, Birmingham, B35 7PX
• Wednesday 21 November, 2:00pm - 8:00pm, at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Upper Clifton Road, Royal Sutton Coldfield, B73 6AB
• Thursday 22 November, 2:00pm - 8:00pm, at St John's Church, Walmley, 4 Walmley Road, Royal Sutton Coldfield, B76 1QN
• Saturday 24 November, 10:00am - 2:00pm, at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Upper Clifton Road, Royal Sutton Coldfield, B73 6AB
• Tuesday 27 November, 3:00pm - 8:00pm, at Falcon Lodge Community Centre, Churchill Road, Royal Sutton Coldfield, B75 7LB
• Thursday 29 November, 2:00pm - 8:00pm, at St Nicholas Church Hall, Curdworth, Coleshill Road, Curdworth, B76 9ES
• Friday 30 November, 2:00pm - 8:00pm, at St George's Church, Minworth, Water Orton Lane, Minworth, B76 9BU
• Saturday 1 December, 10:00am - 4:00pm, at Asda Community Room, Minworth, Walmley Ash Road, Minworth, B76 1XL