HBD, part of Henry Boot, has secured Reserved Matters planning for the second phase of SPARK, its £126million GDV manufacturing and logistics scheme in Walsall.
Phase two will deliver a further 101,341sq ft at SPARK across three units, providing high-quality, net zero-enabled space just minutes from the M6.
Construction is already well-underway with the first phase of the scheme, with the first two units, delivered by Origin, due to complete later this year. HBD will bring forward one further unit as part of phase one, which will be delivered on a build-to-suit basis.
Construction on the second phase of SPARK is expected to begin in November 2025, targeting completion in Q3 next year.
One of the Midlands’ most impressive regeneration projects, HBD is transforming the site of the former James Bridge Copper Works into a sustainable new business location at the heart of the Midlands’ manufacturing and logistics economy. Once complete, SPARK will provide a total of 620,000sq ft of high-spec industrial and logistics space and is expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs.
HBD completed extensive remediation works to ready the site for development, which was delivered in partnership with Walsall Council, Homes England, Black Country LEP and West Midlands Combined Authority.
Ed Hutchinson, Managing Director of HBD, said: “There remains a shortage of prime stock in established locations, which is driving strong interest from potential occupiers. SPARK is not only incredibly well-located, but is highly sustainable which is a major driver for businesses looking for net zero-enabled space that will support their ESG obligations.
“We have created an ideal location for logistics and manufacturing businesses at SPARK and look forward to seeing the scheme continue to take shape over the coming months.”
Units within phase one range from 18,000sq ft – 250,000sq ft, with pre-let and build-to-suit options both available. Phase two will deliver three units of 37,900sq ft, 39,094sq ft and 24,347sq ft.
Origin is a joint venture partnership between HBD and Feldberg Capital. It was launched to own and develop next-generation, ESG-compliant industrial and logistics assets in the UK’s mid-box market and aims to deliver £1billion of high-quality I&L schemes over the next seven years. The first phase of SPARK was one of three Origin developments to start
on site in 2025, with work progressing apace at INTER, a 71,000sq ft industrial hub in Welwyn Garden City, and ARK, 107,000sq ft scheme at Markham Vale in Derbyshire.
The agents for SPARK are Cushman and Wakefield and Box4 Real Estate.
HBD, part of Henry Boot, is one of the UK’s most well established property developers. It boasts an impressive track record, strong financial backing and a reputation for delivery that has seen it become the partner of choice for local authorities, investors, and developers.
Working with a £1.2billion development pipeline, HBD operates from six UK offices, focusing on industrial and logistics, urban development and residential projects.