Creating a thriving hub for industry and logistics

  • Location:
    Walsall
    Sector:
    Industrial and logistics
  • Phase:
    In development
    Website:
    www.sparkwalsall.co.uk
  • Partners:

    Walsall Council
    Homes England
    West Midlands Combined Authority
    Black Country LEP

HBD’s vision for SPARK Walsall is to create a best in class manufacturing and industrial logistics hub for the region, delivering over 620,000sq ft of new industrial floorspace to support the local economy. With a GDV of over £100million, it is predicted to generate up to 1,100 jobs when complete.

HBD was appointed to undertake this development by Walsall Council and Homes England. As master developer, HBD is undertaking the planning, site remediation, design, funding and construction of the scheme together with marketing on completion.

Right now, the first part of the brief is being fulfilled, with HBD commencing site enabling and preparation works to get it ready for development – something in part funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority which in 2021 committed to a multi million pound deal to fund the clean up of the land. This was no easy task given the brownfield site’s history, with land that had been used for coal mining, as a municipal refuse centre and, as recently as twenty years ago as an active copper manufacturing works. All this rich industrial history meant that the land needed remediation before development could take place.

In 2024 HBD will complete that initial two year programme of land work and the site will be ready for active development. Once again having worked in seamless collaboration with two great partners, HBD will take ownership of the site from Homes England and Walsall Council to unleash the full vision for Walsall. Working with local architect practice AJA architects, HBD is delivering a mix of unit sizes and appeal to occupiers with requirements from 315,000sq ft to 20,000sq ft – giving a full range of options for businesses of all sizes and with the needs of modern occupiers in mind. The buildings will of course be highly sustainable, with HBD targeting BREEAM excellent, EPC A, net zero carbon in construction; the team will also work with occupiers to ensure all buildings are net zero in operation.

Those occupiers will also benefit from SPARK’s great location close to Birmingham and alongside junction nine and ten of the M6 – with easy access to the M5. Future improvements that will enhance SPARK include upgrade works to junction ten of the M6 and a brand new rail station at nearby Darlaston.

The team has also looked to add value to the scheme and minimise risks every step of the way, undertaking extensive consultation with local stakeholders and neighbours at every stage. In fact by altering the site boundary (with no impact) an extra parcel of land was included which took the overall size from 475,000sq ft to 620,000sq ft. HBD is also delivering over £1million of improvement works to the canal that runs beside the site, reinforcing the walls to improve the structural integrity.

Delivering social value to the local area is central to the delivery at every stage and is a core thread in HBDs pledge to deliver places with purpose. Local jobs, training and opportunities will be provided across a range of sectors and specialisms.

To the north of the site is West Walsall E-ACT Academy and HBD’s project team has been working with them to show the students what is being delivered, introduce them to the development industry, helping to educate and inspire future talent from a young age. Members of the team have also been helping Jane Lane School in Walsall with the re-establishment of the school allotment working closely with children from year ten and 11, many of whom have a range of special educational needs.

Once properly onsite and development is underway HBD will also be adding an array of landscaping and creating habitats to nurture wildlife, including ponds, trees and green areas – making SPARK a great place for everyone.

  • 44

    acre industrial site

  • 620,000

    sq ft of logistics and manufacturing space

  • Units

    between 20,000 - 315,000 sq ft available

Contact

Have a question or need more information? Get in touch with our developer, Chris Newsome.

Get in touch
Walsall WS2 9RX, UK

Do you have a lettings enquiry? If so, please get in touch with one of our agents, listed below.

SPARK is another wonderful example of how the West Midlands is continuing to use government funding to breathe new life into former industrial sites to deliver jobs, business and prosperity. Andy Street, former West Midlands Mayor
SPARK is critical to Walsall’s economic prosperity with the creation of new employment space and much needed jobs on formerly derelict brownfield land. Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council Deputy Leader