The units at SPARK will range from 20,000ft² to 254,000ft². Credit: Henry Boot.

HBD, the property investment and development division of Henry Boot, has obtained Reserved Matters planning consent for three units totalling 464,000ft² at SPARK in Walsall, England, UK. 

This scheme is a part of the wider £110m ($140.76m) gross development value (GDV) industrial and logistical project, SPARK. 

The 620,000ft² SPARK project is a collaboration between Walsall Council, Homes England, West Midlands Combined Authority, and Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.

The site, formerly known as the James Bridge Copper Works, is said to be one of the largest undeveloped brownfield sites in the Black Country. 

It is currently undergoing specialised remediation works. HBD anticipates completing these works by the third quarter (Q3) of this year. 

Homes England development director central Mike Goulding said: “This marks an important step forward and adds further momentum to the SPARK project.  

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“We are pleased to be working collaboratively, to drive forward a project that will transform this large brownfield site into a sustainable place that will increase employment opportunities in the area.” 

HBD plans to commence construction on the first of the three approved units in Q4 2024.

It is anticipated to be ready for occupation by mid-2025.  

This decision is in response to interest from potential occupants for the scheme. 

This first unit is expected to contribute approximately £40m to HBD’s current GDV committed programme, which stands at £154m.  

The units at SPARK will vary in size, ranging from 20,000ft² to 254,000ft².  

Located adjacent to junctions 9 and 10 of the M6 motorway, the fully developed project is expected to create up to 1,100 jobs across the local and surrounding area. 

Henry Boot CEO Tim Roberts said: “Industrials and logistics remains one of our high conviction sectors and carrying out the specialised remediation works and securing detailed planning for the first three units at SPARK is testament to HBD’s expertise in navigating an increasingly onerous and complex planning system.” 

Last month, Henry Boot Construction secured a contract to redevelop Rotherham Markets and construct a new library in South Yorkshire, as part of a wider town centre master plan.