More jobs are set to be created in part of Stoke-on-Trent with the construction of 10 new employment units completing a multi-million-pound business park.
Indurent Management was granted planning permission yesterday to erect two new buildings for industrial and storage and distribution use at Indurent Park Stoke Central at Etruria Valley.
The development will form Phase 4 of the business park and will sit at the northern end off Shelton Boulevard next to the recently completed Phase 3, a standalone commercial unit for National Veterinary Services.
The two new buildings – separated by parking and service yard areas – will be split into 10 units providing 68,913 sq ft of gross internal floor space.
Plans for a single warehouse unit on the site were passed in April last year, but Indurent has confirmed it will now be proceeding with this scheme.
Planning permission was granted at a meeting of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s planning committee, where councillors voted unanimously in favour of approval after hearing that technical issues which had been raised were now resolved.
Members welcomed the prospect of jobs being created on the site while an agent for the scheme described the plans as having “long term benefits for the city”.
After the meeting, Damien Holdstock, Planning Director at Indurent, said:“We welcome the decision by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to approve our plans for the final phase of Indurent Park Stoke Central. This scheme will bring much-needed, high-quality multi-let industrial (MLI) space to the region.
“The demand for flexible, modern MLI units continues to outstrip supply across the UK, and Stoke-on-Trent is no exception. Our plans for 10 new speculative units at this strategically located brownfield site will help address this shortfall and support job creation and economic growth in the city and wider area.”
The canal-side site is currently vacant and part of it was recently occupied by contractor Balfour Beatty as their temporary site HQ whilst they constructed the new Etruria Valley Link Road.
As part of the plans, 105 car parking spaces, including 10 electric vehicle charging stations, will be created.
Access will be via an extension to the existing Newport Lane Link from the Etruria Valley Link Road.
A document submitted with the plans reads: “The overall design of the proposed MLI units aims to maximize the site’s potential for commercial/industrial development whilst being sensitive to the scale and nature of neighbouring premises as well as natural influences.
“No occupiers are as yet confirmed, so the layout of the site and the design of the buildings have been carefully considered to accommodate commercial standards for a modern industrial trade park centre with operational and storage space, delivery yard areas and car parking to maximise letting potential.”
Another states: “The proposals will ensure the site delivers economic growth, job opportunities and regeneration in a timely and efficient manner on a brownfield site identified for development.”
The Etruria Valley Business Park is an extension to Festival Park which has over 600,000 sq ft of office and business space and over 400,000 sq ft of retail and leisure development already completed.
