West Browmich Gateway Planning Application Submitted
Birmingham-based Stoford Developments has brought plans for a new £75 million flagship business quarter in West Bromwich a step closer by submitting an application for outline planning permission for the scheme, which is part of a wider regeneration of the town centre.
The leading developer has been working closely with the local urban regeneration company RegenCo, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, and Advantage West Midlands to create a 270,000 sq ft net office park at All Saints, located on the northern edge of the town centre at the junction of the A41 Expressway and Cronehills Linkway.
Designed by the award-winning practice Glenn Howells Architects, the Grade A accommodation has been designed to a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating, recognising the highest standards of sustainability.
Stoford is seeking permission to develop the All Saints ‘gateway’ site from its current use as Sandwell Homes’ depot, which makes it a visually unappealing entrance to the town centre, to a thriving business quarter with a high-quality public realm. The first phase will comprise a 141,000 sq ft gross six-storey office building that has been pre-let to BT plc.
BT Liberata, which provides corporate support services including ICT, HR procurement and finance, will be occupying the BT offices, which will provide the focal point of the scheme as well as bringing some 450 new jobs to the town.
The entrance to the development will be via a new junction with the A41 Expressway, while a new spine road within the scheme will provide access through the fully landscaped public realm. Excellent pedestrian and cycle links that extend to the town centre and on to the proposed new Tesco store are also to be provided.
Jon Andrews, Stoford Director, said: “We aim to deliver a compact, sustainable and vibrant mixed-use development that will expand and enrich West Bromwich town centre and generate new jobs within a bright modern business environment.”
He added: “Stoford has worked very closely over many months with Sandwell Council, Regenco, Advantage West Midlands and BT in examining all the issues to the point where we have been able to submit our planning application.”
