Expansion at Walsall parcel firm Yodel to deliver jobs

Parcel delivery firm Yodel, which has a main sorting centre on the Willenhall and Darlaston border, will open up more HGV parking spaces on land next to the site.

The extra 105 spaces, given the nod by Walsall Council, will enable the firm to grow by allowing more deliveries from the site.

The spaces will be on land between Owen Road and Willenhall Road.

Plans lodged with the council said: "The extension of the HGV parking area will safeguard the facility for the long term and will allow for future expansion by providing a net gain in trailer spaces which will in turn will allow for future job growth as demand increases."

Following approval of the proposals, Councillor Garry Perry, chairman of the planning committee, said: "As a committee we always welcome expansions of any businesses across the borough.

"It will also provide additional parking provision for the business.

"I think that given they have done that in consultation with the neighbouring site it is going to be of benefit to them."

He also welcomed any jobs the expansion would bring, adding: "Job creation is important.

"Any business, if it just creates one job, it is one less unemployed person in Walsall.

"Job creation and business expansion is to be encouraged."

The decision came despite the council's natural and built environment team objecting on the grounds of poor landscaping proposals.

Pollution control officers also warned that the ground was contaminated and may contain asbestos from the previously demolished industrial building, although no remediation measures were deemed necessary.

Five further objections were received on the grounds of potential noise, traffic, congestion and light pollution.

But Willenhall South Councillor Carl Creaney said anyone with complaints should contact their local councillors or Walsall Council to get any issues resolved as quickly as possible.

He added: "If there are any concerns about parking, people need to speak to the local council or councillors.

"If they have a complaint about noise, that can be dealt with through the local authority.

"We have to also look at creating jobs around the local area."

The Yodel campus employs around 280 staff, with 260 drivers, sorters and loaders working on a shift basis.

The company handles more than 145 million parcels per year.

The firm recruited 5,000 part-time and full-time staff across the UK in preparation for the Christmas peak last year, which included offering hundreds of jobs at its Black Country base.

The jobs boost comes when many haulage firms in the West Midlands are struggling to recruit lorry drivers.