Peddimore employment park given green light

Proposals for Peddimore, a major new employment site in Minworth which is set to create thousands of new jobs, have today been approved after securing planning permission.

Midlands-based IM Properties (IMP), one of the UK’s largest privately-owned property companies, will develop 66.5 hectares of employment space and infrastructure at the site in partnership with Birmingham City Council, following its selection as preferred development partner through a rigorous international competition last year.

Peddimore will deliver up to 6,500 direct jobs and up to 3,000 supply chain jobs across the wider region to support the site’s future occupiers in the manufacturing and logistics sectors and will become a significant new economic asset for Royal Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham.

IMP is also committed to delivering a major social value programme as part of the proposals. This will provide benefits for the local supply chain during construction and a positive long-term legacy for future generations, through working with local training providers and schools and providing access to the wide range of jobs on offer and help for disadvantaged people in finding work.

Kevin Ashfield, UK development director for IMP, said: “Peddimore will be a best in class employment park for manufacturing and logistics and a development that is a great place to work and visit. It is set to create a new industry benchmark for its high-quality design and landscape and an approach which focuses on employee wellbeing and sustainability.

“We are delighted with the decision, which is the culmination of considerable hard work and collaboration over the planning phase with range of local stakeholders. We remain fully committed to continuing to work in partnership with the council, residents, community groups and businesses to ensure the scheme delivers long-term economic benefits. Our extensive social value programme, which will accelerate with the construction phase, is already helping to fulfil our ambition of delivering a lasting legacy for the local community.”

Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Peddimore is one of the country’s best connected and positioned development sites and I’m delighted that planning permission has been approved. It has the potential to be a world-class employment estate where businesses choose to invest, operate and grow, creating thousands of skilled jobs in the city along with training opportunities for local people.

“The high-quality design and landscaping on the site will help integrate the development into the surrounding area, which is important for the local community, and it will be supported by major investment in the transport network. I’m also really pleased to see IM Properties’ commitment to a social value programme.”

Site-wide infrastructure works are due to begin this winter, with the first bespoke buildings ready for occupation by summer (Q3) 2021.

Peddimore will be built to a high level of building design and include substantial and attractive landscaping, with a 4km pedestrian and cycle path planned to circle the site. It will promote walking and cycling to minimise impact on local roads and improve air quality and accessibility to the site through a new Green Travel District.

As well as the construction of significant new infrastructure, including a new grade signal-controlled roundabout on the A38 and a new traffic-free bridge over the A38, IMP will contribute to the highways and public transport improvements needed to mitigate the impacts of the development in its early stages, as well as fund other transport works as the project progresses.