Approval lined up for job-creating commercial project

Plans for a commercial project which is expected to create more than 260 jobs at an established business park in the West Midlands have been recommended for approval ahead of a planning committee meeting next week.Asset management firm BlackRock has brought forward proposals to develop approximately six acres of land, known as plot 6,700, at Birmingham Business Park.Birmingham Business Park is home to more than 150 companies, 7,000 employees and is the European and UK headquarters for in excess of 20 organisations.BlackRock’s plans involve the construction of two units extending to a total of 93,310 sq ft.Each unit benefits from access to a dedicated parking area and separate HGV yard, providing a total of 97 car and 22 cycle spaces.A statement filed on behalf of the applicant Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council – whose planning committee meets on 5 October – said: “BlackRock intends to deliver the proposed development to continue the growth of the regionally significant BBP and to provide additional investment and employment opportunities for the area of Solihull.”The adopted local plan identifies BBP as a key economic asset and supports its continued growth and expansion. This is true also of the emerging local plan, which arguably even more strongly supports the development of the park to encourage the economic regeneration of north Solihull.”The proposed development seeks to make good on the local plan’s ambitions, providing up to 261 full-time employment opportunities and should be supported in this regard.”A report for the committee added: “The proposed development has been carefully considered and informed by a thorough review of the site’s opportunities and constraints. The result is that the proposed development makes best use of the land available to provide commercial floorspace that meets occupier requirements and safeguards as much of the existing vegetation as possible.”This is important given that BBP is constrained by the green belt, meaning that opportunities for development must be optimised.”