Go-ahead for £29 million logistics development next to M54

Barberry Industrial will develop warehouse units of 47,750 sq ft, 62,000 sq ft and 113,000 sq ft at Hilton Cross Business Park, at Junction 1 of the M54 near Wolverhampton.

South Staffordshire Council approved the company’s detailed planning application for the £29 million development. Work is expected to start on site in the third quarter of this year.

Barberry Industrial was selected by the local authority as the preferred purchaser of the last two remaining plots on the business park. The units will be built to exacting energy efficiency and sustainability levels, to include photovoltaic cells on the south facing slopes of the roof and provisions for electric charging points.

Development director Jon Robinson said: “Achieving planning is a great milestone for our project and will now allow us to progress bringing forward our new development, delivering market-leading mid-box industrial / logistics units which will help to address the ongoing pent-up demand for high quality units in the region.

“Our development will be delivered having considered many of the environmental, social and corporate governance ratings measuring the sustainability and social impact of new buildings. Barberry intends to use some of the latest environmental technologies to reduce the cost of occupation and reduce the carbon footprint of our buildings.

“Our investment will also stimulate economic growth and generate new jobs that will assist in post Covid 19 bounceback of the UK economy. Barberry has an excellent relationship with South Staffordshire Council and we are looking forward to delivering this prime, motorway-connected logistics scheme of more than 227,750 sq ft of self contained, Grade A accommodation.”

Mr Robinson added: “We are confident that the quality of our development will generate a great deal of interest from potential occupiers, providing an outstanding logistics location particularly for those supplying into i54 on Junction 2 of the M54.”

Grant Mitchell, assistant director enterprise and growth at South Staffordshire Council, said: “Barberry worked positively with the council’s planning team to bring forward a high-quality development and it was very pleasing to see the development unanimously approved by our members. We’re delighted to continue our strong relationship with Barberry and to realise the significant economic benefits the end occupiers will bring to the area at such a difficult time for the local and national economy. We very much look forward to welcoming them to South Staffordshire soon.”

Belbroughton-based Barberry has a 3.3 million sq ft industrial/logistics development pipeline with a Gross Development Value of more than £400 million. The company has 455 acres of strategic land, with a development land value of £225m, across 10 sites under its control, and a £30m commercial and residential value add portfolio.

It is currently developing a £35m precision engineering advanced manufacturing and design facility for a global leader in military and commercial engine controls systems in Gloucestershire. Work recently started on site to deliver the 184,000 sq ft centre of excellence for Moog’s Aircraft Controls Segment at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury.

Barberry also recently started working on site to deliver IMI Truflo Marine’s multi-million-pound centre of engineering excellence in Birmingham. A state-of-the-art manufacturing and design facility is being developed at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH). IMI Truflo Marine will relocate to the manufacturing hub in Witton from its existing facility nearby.