Featherstone business park backing is welcomed
News that plans for a multi-million pound manufacturing park in South Staffordshire have been recommended for approval were today welcomed – as it emerged the development would be called Sovereign Park.
The 700,000sq ft park, named in honour of Featherstone's links with King Charles II, is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs per year at the derelict former Royal Ordnance factory site. Police, environmental bodies, parish councillors and now planning officers have all lent their support to the scheme.
BAE Systems, which is behind the plan, believes the new park in Cat and Kittens Lane could bring in more than £1.5 million of business every year.
South Staffordshire MP Gavin William-son said he hoped businesses would move in and take advantage of the supply chain opportunities presented by the site's proximity to the i54 business park.
The former factory site is around a mile from the i54 where Jaguar Land Rover is building a £355m engine plant. "This will be a major boost to employment in the local area, and, instead of being low-paid work, it will be aimed at creating higher-skilled jobs, which is what we want," he said.
"There are some potential concerns around vehicle movement at the site, but provided they are able to address these then the plans will be very welcome indeed."
Mr Williamson worked with BAE when the plans were being drawn up, and convinced the firm to reduce the height of buildings from a maximum of 65.6ft to just over 52ft. Parish councillor Bob Cope added: "I am pleased with the new plans. It will help raise the profile of the village. I'm excited for the benefits it will bring to the area."
Councillors will vote on the plans at a meeting on Tuesday.
BAE spokeswoman Ruth Adams said if the plans were approved, work to demolish existing buildings and prepare the land would begin in the spring.
