Wednesbury industrial park could create up to 500 jobs

Developer Opus Land announced plans for the site off Axletree Way, close to the Ikea store, last week. And today managing director Richard Smith said the scheme had the potential to generate up to 500 jobs.

Bosses said it was hoped the scheme would also combat problems caused by boy racers, fly-tippers and travellers who have blighted the development site in recent years. "As a rule of thumb we estimate there will be one job for every 1,000 sq ft of space," said Mr Smith.

"Here we're looking at a 500,000 sq ft project so we're looking at 500 jobs. It's obviously good news for Wednesbury."

Opus Land is working with property investor St Francis Group on the scheme.

A £4 million project to clear the site has already begun and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. After this the search will begin for firms to occupy the site.

Up to three units suitable for warehousing or industrial use could be created but building work will not start until the firms have been confirmed.

"Until the buildings are occupied it's hard to say what the posts will be," he said.

"Building will not start until the firms have signed up. The market for logistics is very strong, so we could be talking about warehouse/storage positions, retailers. Or we could be looking at manufacturing posts.

"We are getting a lot of inquiries from automotive suppliers at the moment."

For years the site, which is close to Wood Green Academy in Wood Green Road, has been a magnet for boy racers, fly-tippers and travellers but Mr Smith said the scheme had the potential to nullify problems.

"We have had nightmare problems with that site over the years," he said. "A lot of travellers, a lot of people dumping things. This could stop all that. We had a meeting with the council and police and we are working towards a zero-tolerance regime.

"It's not fair what local residents have had to put up with."

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell's cabinet member for jobs and economy, welcomed the news today, saying it was particularly positive in light of the economic climate.

"I know this has been in the pipeline for some time," he said.

"There is potential here to create jobs across the board, with a range of skill levels.

"Posts could include manufacturing and storage roles. With the 700 jobs being created from the Tesco development off Cronehills Linkway, and the potential for 500 here, everything is looking very positive at the moment."