The public-private partnership behind a £120m Worcestershire technology park says the scheme has moved a step closer with the start of vital highways improvements.
Worcestershire County Council and Birmingham-based developer Stoford have teamed up to deliver more than 1.5m sq ft of mixed business accommodation close to Junction 6 of the M5 motorway. Initially launched as Worcester Technology Park the project — which is expected to create at least 5,000 jobs — has now been rebranded as Worcester Six.
The development site has been identified within Worcestershire’s Strategic Economic Plan as one of four “game changer” sites in the county capable driving its economic future.
Stoford, with funding from the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Growth Deal, has now begun a programme of work to upgrade access and improve traffic flow to the Spetchley Estate-owned site.
“Worcester Six is widely considered to be one of the best potential sites between Birmingham and Bristol,” explained the partnership chairman, Mark Stansfeld.
“Improvements to Pershore Lane are key to opening up this employment site, which will provide exciting opportunities for a range of businesses, including digital and technology rich companies, bringing investment and a wealth of jobs to Worcestershire.”
As an occupier focused developer, Stoford has delivered more than 10m sq ft of pre-let space and in the two years to 2014 had more than 1.5m sq ft of commercial and industrial units under construction across the Britain.
“It is very exciting to see the progress being made already at Worcester Six and we are confident that we will be in a position to welcome the first occupiers towards the end of next year,” said Stoford director, Gerard Ludlow.
“The highways improvements are now underway and we are procuring for the on-site infrastructure and roads,” he added. “The development, which is in a strategically very strong location, will attract high quality occupiers who will bring jobs and investment into the area.”
Simon Geraghty is deputy leader of Worcestershire County Council and cabinet member with responsibility for economy, skills and infrastructure. “Worcester Six is one of our four identified ‘game-changer’ sites across the county, which are key to realising the county’s ambition of creating 25,000 new jobs by 2025 and making a stepped change in our economic potential, as set out in the county’s ten year economic plan,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see plans progressing, turning the ambitious plans, part of our World Class Worcestershire vision, into a reality.”
