M6 Junction 10 Cluster Walsall
This strategic cluster of sites around M6 Junction 10 offers new industrial developments in the UK’s manufacturing heartland.
OPPORTUNITY
As promoter Walsall Council is seeking development partners, occupiers and forward funding on a number of significant sites to bring forward exciting new industrial development.
With 66 hectares of highly accessible and developable employment land this cluster of opportunity meets increasing market demand and supports the provision of much needed strategic employment land in the region.
Promoter: Walsall Council
Scale: £300m+ GDV
Sector: Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Technologies, Transport Technologies, Logistics
Location: M6 Junction 10, Walsall
Investment Type: Forward funding developers, and occupiers
Programme: 2023-2028
Planning Status: Allocated employment land in the Council’s Site Allocation Document adopted in January 2019
Website: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/regeneration_intro
BACKGROUND
The area around M6 Junction 10 is a highly attractive setting for manufacturing and logistics businesses given its place at the heart of the UK’s Motorway network, providing direct access for both customers and suppliers. Walsall Council is working to directly support the delivery of a number of vacant employment sites in this highly sought after area.
The local road network has seen substantial improvements with £26m of investment and on-site work nearing completion on the £78m improvements to Junction 10 of the M6. The area will also benefit from a new rail station that will provide connections to Walsall, Wolverhampton and Birmingham opening in 2024.
DESCRIPTION
The project comprises the development of a number of significant vacant employment sites within a 1.75 kilometres radius of M6 Junction 10, some of which are defined within the Black Country Enterprise Zone.
Development partners can invest in delivery of the sites in different ways
from land acquisition through to development finance. Walsall Council has already taken a lead role in supporting delivery of two of the key sites within the cluster to act as a catalyst for future investment. Henry Boot Developments are working as developer partner for one of the largest employment opportunity sites in the West Midlands region and jointly owned by the UK Government and Walsall Council. Recently rebranded as SPARK the site is connected to and highly visible from the main Motorway network, and a significant multimillion pound public investment is funding comprehensive enabling works that are currently underway to prepare the site for the delivery of major employment space from 2024 onwards.
The 8 hectare former Gasholders site has been acquired by Walsall Council from National Grid to enable the creation of new floorspace. The Council is now finalising a delivery strategy for future development. Public sector partners are also working closely with other private landowners within the cluster to support further development opportunities.
PROMOTER AND PARTNERSHIPS
Walsall Council is working closely with private landowners and fully supported by key partner West Midlands Combined Authority.
LOCATION
Located at the heart of the UK Motorway network at J10 of the M6 the cluster is a highly attractive location for investment. In addition, the M54 which connects to the M6 at J10a provides direct connection to the i54 Business Park at J2 which is home to Jaguar Land Rover’s Engine Manufacturing Centre, Moog Aerospace and other global business. There is also easy access via the M6, M5 and M42 to Birmingham Airport as well as direct Motorway routes to Manchester and Heathrow Airport. A new rail station within the heart of the Black Country Enterprise Zone area will also open in 2024 with connections to Birmingham and Wolverhampton.