100 jobs on way at Walsall GKN factory site
Up to 100 jobs could be created under multi-million pound plans to transform the landmark site of Walsall's former GKN factory into a business park, new plans revealed today.
Developers want to turn the former GKN Driveline site, in Middlemore Lane West, Aldridge into a thriving industrial site.
Plans have already been approved to build an extension for conference facilities and to make external improvements, and new proposals have now been lodged to expand the use of the site to cater for offices, industrial and storage or distribution purposes.
Site owner Pal Singh said the future looked 'positive' and an undisclosed company had shown an interest in moving into the development. Up to £4 million is being spent on refurbishing the site to give it a new lease of life and work on getting it ready started last year.
Mr Singh said: "We are trying to attract a large company and get them to locate into this area. They were originally looking to move to Coventry or Milton Keynes but they are now looking for a base here. We cannot say who they are at this time. We are attracting the right sort of people here.
"They will bring quite a lot of jobs. It's very positive how it's going."
The new plans, which have been lodged with Walsall Council, also include inserting new roller shutters and openings.
A car park with 195 spaces will be provided for employees at the north of the site and there will also be parking for taxis, visitors and disabled spaces.
A report, submitted with the plans, reads: "The proposed uses are accepted to create up to 100 jobs with the use being operative 24/7. The site has been vacant for three years. A company has shown interest in the site and due to time constraints need the granting of planning application for B1 (c), B2 and in particular B8 ASAP."
The manufacturing complex is being managed by Birmingham-based Property Link (Midlands). The site covers an area of about 5.3 hectares. It was previously occupied by GKN which had been in the town for more than 50 years.
It was announced more than three years ago that more than 200 workers were to move to a centre of excellence in Erdington, Birmingham. The company announced smaller than expected losses of £8 million in the first half of 2009 and said it planned to cut its global workforce by 3,600.
