Planning submitted for £188 million West Midlands scheme

Developer HBD has submitted reserved matters planning for the first phase of its £188 million regeneration project in Walsall, West Midlands.

A new scheme, to be known as SPARK, will be built on the 44-acre former site of James Bridge Copper Works – which HBD claims is “the largest undeveloped brownfield site in the Black Country”.

The project will involve the construction of units totalling 620,000ft² and ranging from 20,000ft² to 254,000ft². HBD expects the first units to be ready for occupation in Q1 2025.

Vivienne Clements, Head of Industrial & Logistics at HBD, said: “SPARK is a significant regeneration scheme, both in terms of its size and scale, and its importance to the region.

“With site enabling works progressing well, it’s fantastic to be able to submit reserved matters planning and start the next stage of the project, bringing the first units forward.”

HBD has confirmed that the submission of reserved matters planning comes as enabling works, which began in 2022, draw to a close.

To deliver the new SPARK scheme, the developer has partnered with Walsall Council, Homes England, West Midlands Combined Authority, and Black Country LEP.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration at Walsall Council, added: “After being involved in this project since its inception, I’m delighted that progress continues to be made.

“Walsall has attracted considerable investment to regenerate the borough and projects like SPARK give me a great deal of confidence in the future of the borough’s economy – it’s a very exciting time for Walsall.”

Source: logisticsmanager.com