New complex to bring Midlands jobs boom

A huge manufacturing base and office block is earmarked for a landmark site just outside Wolverhampton under plans revealed today that could create up to 1,000 jobs.

BAE Systems, which owns the former Royal Ordnance factory site in Featherstone, South Staffordshire, wants to create a new manufacturing business on the land.

It also wants to build a new office complex as part of the scheme.

The company plans to sell the land for development rather than operate any new business itself.

The site is around a mile from the i54 business park in Fordhouses where Jaguar Land Rover is building a £355 million engine plant, creating 750 jobs, and the building could be used by a business in JLR's supply chain.

Previous plans for a 66ft HGV depot and warehouse at the site in Cat and Kittens Lane caused outcry among residents who complained it would "dwarf" the surrounding village.

The new plans, which are expected to create more than double the 400 jobs originally estimated for the scheme, are expected to be submitted at the start of next month.

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson today welcomed the news.

"This has been a derelict site for a considerable amount of time now and everyone is very keen to see it developed," he said.

"The i54 is obviously going to bring in a lot of employment for the area and this is a prime site to take advantage of that, ideally through the supply chain."

BAE has agreed to lower the height of the units from 66ft to between 39ft and 49ft, which Mr Williamson said was "much more fitting" to the surrounding area.

Head of estate development at BAE, David Cave, said he was pleased with the way the plans had progressed.

By Charlotte Cross