A new economic growth zone which could create 14,700 jobs has been announced at the UK’s largest property development event.
Three local authorities have developed plans for The Central Edge scheme which proposes to connect South Staffordshire and Wolverhampton, building on the success of the i54 enterprise zone.
Announced at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) yesterday, the new zone will focus on advanced manufacturing and sustainable logistics and has already secured £27 million in funding as part of the West Midlands Investment Zone.
It will offer a combined 116.4 million sq ft of development land and is expected to bring £582 million in GVA, create 14,700 jobs plus access to 155,000 STEM course graduates from 12 Midlands universities.
It has been brought forward by Staffordshire County Council, South Staffordshire Council and the City of Wolverhampton Council.
The announcement is one of a number made at the event in Leeds, where delegates from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are championing the county’s investment sites and opportunities.
Yesterday, the county council announced a new team has been launched to attract inward investment, support business growth and stimulate economic activity in the county.
And Stoke-on-Trent City Council revealed plans to transform the former Chatterley Whitfield Colliery into a hub for digital infrastructure and renewable energy.
Commenting on The Central Edge, South Staffordshire Council Corporate Director Place and Communities, Annette Roberts, said: “This project will be a huge boost to the local and regional economy building on the success of i54 and furthering innovation in the green economy, advanced manufacturing and logistics, creating sustainable growth and quality jobs for our communities, and supporting business.”
Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s new Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, added: “Growing the economy and creating good jobs for local people is a key priority for the new leadership and we are committed to working with partners to deliver real benefits for businesses and residents.”
Invest Staffordshire – the new investment team – will work with the public and private sector to strengthen partnerships and bring forward strategic developments and programmes which will retain and create skilled jobs for local people.
Its remit will cover major placemaking and transformative schemes for Staffordshire working with project teams across the county, including partnerships that are leading projects including the Fifty500 and The Central Edge.
Plans for Chatterley Whitfield would see the historic site used for data centres and become home to a pioneering mine energy heat network. The project sits within the city’s Digital and Energy Growth Zone and supports the authority’s Silicon Stoke vision and goal of building a greener, cleaner and more skilled city.
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, the city council’s cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “This is how we build a better future for the people of this great city.
“We’re taking a site that powered the past and turning it into something that will power the future. Good-paying jobs, lower energy bills and a cleaner, more sustainable Stoke-on-Trent for generations to come.”
Other Staffordshire schemes being showcased at UKREiiF include city-wide investment opportunities in Lichfield, the A50/A500 growth corridor Fifty500, a new regeneration project in the Gungate Quarter of Tamworth, the redevelopment of Guildhall Shopping Centre in Cannock town centre and opportunities with Keele University.
