Huge new warehouse planned for former Wolverhampton landfill dump could create 500 jobs

Outline plans for a 355,000 square foot logistics distribution warehouse on a 12.5 acre site off Neachells Lane in Wolverhampton will be discussed by city planners next Tuesday (March 25).

If approved, plans submitted by developers Goold Estates would give outline permission to build the distribution warehouse alongside new offices, 270 parking spaces and 60 lorry parking bays. A detailed application would then be brought forward before construction could begin.

According to documents submitted with the application, the scheme could create over 500 jobs, with logistics firm Great Bear are ready to move from their "outdated" current premises in Ettingshall to the new site once completed.

"The proposed operator, Great Bear Distribution, currently occupies an outdated site nearby which is not suitable for modern logistic use," said a planning statement from the developer. 

"A new site will allow Great Bear to occupy a modern, environmentally sustainable, purpose-built facility to meet its long-term operational requirements. 

"The application site is sufficiently close to the existing site to enable the retention of existing employees, while being of a suitable size to enable the expansion of the workforce. 

"This will enable job growth above the current 250 employees, supporting sustainable economic growth to the local and regional economy. Great Bear estimates that the new facility will allow it to ultimately increase its workforce to approximately 535 employees."

The statement added that the remainder of the site, a former colliery and landfill site, would be "reengineered and enhanced" to provide " high quality areas of publicly accessible open space".

Access to the new site would be via a new all-priorities junction off Neachells Lane.

In a statement, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, Chris Burden said the developer would need to conduct an "extensive" community engagement exercise if the plans were approved.

“The proposal going to Planning Committee next week is only an outline plan, with the finer details to be determined later if it is approved," he said.

“If the scheme gets the green light, it will deliver significant financial investment and hundreds of jobs for local people. The loss of open space and the environmental impact would also be mitigated by other gains for the East Park community.

“But make no mistake, should this outline planning application be approved by Planning Committee, there will need to be extensive community engagement by the developer to ensure the detailed plan addresses people’s concerns appropriately.”

The application will be decided by City of Wolverhampton Council's Planning Committee on Tuesday, March 25.