Advanced Manufacturing Hub site ready for development
Reclamation works have been completed at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH), ready for the development of up to 150,000 sq ft of employment space.
The AMH is one of six Economic Zones being promoted by Birmingham City Council to fast-track economic development and is a joint venture with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Works at the four-hectare site have included the removal of foundations, redundant services, hard standing and old car parks.
This has been made possible with a £1 million investment through the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) City Deal, a £22 million investment fund to accelerate priority economic and housing projects across Birmingham.
Savills is currently marketing the site and is receiving strong interest now that the works have been undertaken, having already secured the first tenant HydraForce. Over a 15-year period, the AMH will deliver 20 hectares of employment land and generate up to 3,000 jobs.
A Local Development Order is in place for the three plots at the site, providing a purchaser with planning consent for B1 and B2 development which will speed up the development of the plots and reduce upfront costs.
Chris Webster, board director for GBSLEP, responsible for optimising assets and Enterprise Zone champion, said: “Vital space for employment and business to expand and locate to the Greater Birmingham and Solihull area is being realised due to the AMH.
“The AMH is providing investment via the City Deal Public Assets Accelerator, an innovative partnership developed to create a rolling asset-based vehicle to unlock the potential of underused public land for housing and employment.
“Additional investment, secured as part of our £357 million Growth Deal, will go a long way to expanding the economy in the region and increasing the prospects for even more jobs and the continued opportunity to deliver growth.â€
Cllr Tahir Ali, Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Development, Transport and the Economy, said: “This exciting development captures the importance of the advanced manufacturing sector to Birmingham and the West Midlands and will provide opportunities for the growing automotive supply chain, as well as other advanced manufacturing activity, demand for which is forecast to accelerate, given the successful performance of this industry across the region.
“With high quality sites that meet the needs of the market, Birmingham is able to nurture growing businesses, stimulate inward investment and generate much needed employment opportunities for both local communities and the wider region.â€
Christine Addison, Executive Director for the HCA, said: “This milestone is testament to the continued work of the HCA and Birmingham City Council to ready the Birmingham AMH for development. Our land and investment are helping to provide a world-class offer at the site, creating an attractive offer for businesses. In turn, this will create new jobs for local people and provide a welcome economic boost for the area.”
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