Jobs boost with plans for transformation of arson-hit paper factory
An arson-hit former paper factory could be knocked down and replaced by a distribution centre as part of a new masterplan.
Council chiefs could give the green light to the plans, which would see the former Alliance Paper and Tissue factory, based off Wobaston Road, Wolverhampton, knocked down.
The factory had been completely destroyed in a major blaze in January this year. Since then, part of the land has been used as HGV lorry parking.
Now, Hollytame Ltd has applied to regenerate the 18.58 acre site, by building a distribution centre employing 525 people.
The centre could house 300 vehicles and 89 lorries and would be a building of 32,050 square metres.
A two story office would also be built at the brown field site if plans get the go ahead.
The development could also see nearby playing fields turned into two industrial buildings.
According to the application submitted to the council: "The development will provide the opportunity for large numbers of permanent and temporary jobs, both in the construction phase and beyond and will provide significant local authority revenues.
"The Master Plan for Wobaston Road has evolved over a number of months, through a design process that has sought to consider and respond to the views of both the client and their technical team, discussions with Wolverhampton City Council, and all other internal and external stakeholders."
In the statement relating to the development of the playing fields, the application states: "This application proposes redevelopment of the former playing fields for two industrial buildings to provide 18,021 square metres of flexible employment floor space."
Access to the new centre would be via Wobaston Road which runs to the A449 Stafford Road, which in turn provides access to the M54 and the national motorway work.
A statement on the plans released by Hollytame Ltd said: "The proposed development on Wobaston Road will be an exemplar employment led development of strategic importance, not only locally, but regionally and also nationally. It is therefore critical that the proposals are of the highest quality, with the site master planned so that it maximises the benefits for the occupiers, users and neighbours alike."
