Work on Mill Green designer outlet village in Cannock to begin next autumn
Mill Green designer outlet village in Cannock Chase has finally been given the green light – but it will be at least a year before workers are on site.
Bosses behind the development say phase one could begin in Autumn 2017 – despite a sign that has been at the site for months saying 'coming soon'. The £115 million development is set to open in Spring 2019.
Both the developers and Cannock Chase District Council have declined to comment on the scheme for two months, and only released a statement on Wednesday saying the plans had been approved – something that happened in August.
The announcement delay came as both parties waited to find out if a legal objection had been lodged with the courts against the designer outlet village.
The project, described as 'the biggest development of its kind in the West Midlands', will create more than 1,200 jobs.
Taking up 26,505 square metres of space, the development next to Mill Green Nature Reserve, off Eastern Way, will provide up to 130 designer outlet stores, restaurants, and around 2,000 car parking spaces.
Among the outlet stores expected are Ralph Lauren and Superdry.
Richard Upton, the deputy CEO of one half of the developers, U+I, said: "This is a major investment that could generate more than £500 million of socio-economic improvements over the next ten years and create in excess of a thousand jobs, benefitting Cannock and the wider region and putting this outlet in the top five outlet centres nationally.
"We intend to create a unique experience in factory outlet retailing including a real focus on sustainability."
Giles Membrey, the managing director of Rioja Developments', the second developer for the scheme, added: "This is a key stage on our journey to make the Mill Green development become reality. It's a unique location in terms of both the commercial opportunity and surrounding landscape. We can now finalise our plans for the scheme before we make a start on site next year."
On top of the jobs to be created and the anticipated economic boost to the area the development will also be investing £150,000 in Cannock town centre. Councillor George Adamson, the leader of the council, said: "It is fantastic news to hear that full planning permission has been granted.
"It will provide a huge economic boost creating jobs and attracting private sector investment. It will significantly raise the profile of the district with an estimated three million people visiting the new designer outlet village."
