Developer lodges planning appeal to speed up decision making process after local authority delays
Developer IM Properties has taken the decision to appeal against the delay to determine its planning application for its 3 million ft2 Thrive scheme, near Curdworth and Junction 9 of the M42 following the submission of proposals in May last year.
By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters
THE NEWS follows on from a story published last week by Logistics Matters which reported that property pundits had said that because the Government had not gone far enough with its latest National Planning Policy Framework to mandate local authorities to provide employment land allocations in a similar way to housing, that developers would continue to be forced to secure planning for major scheme through planning appeal in order to speed up the process.
Regarding the decision to go to appeal for the THRIVE scheme, IM Properties Planning Director Matthew Fox said: “We have taken the decision to lodge an appeal to speed up the process to determine our application. This is because our proposals will deliver significant benefits for Warwickshire and the West Midlands and need to be considered thoroughly by the Government, especially in the light of revised national planning policy and the lack of local policy to properly assess large employment projects like Thrive.
“Businesses are ready to invest and bring jobs here now – not in several years’ time. Against a challenging global economic and geopolitical backdrop, the West Midlands needs a new strategic employment site to support domestic high quality advanced manufacturing, R&D and logistics.
“Any further delay could see investment redirected elsewhere, and those prospects may not return. Local planning authorities face ongoing resource challenges and are adapting to government planning reforms, but it is vital we facilitate large-scale, cross-boundary schemes like Thrive to meet urgent regional needs.”
IM Properties believes that the appeal is the most appropriate process to properly assess the wider regional merits of Thrive and the fastest route to a decision that would help unlock inclusive growth in North Warwickshire and the wider region.
The planning application will see the development of a £343 million future-facing employment park in North Warwickshire which could support up to 6,000 jobs across advanced manufacturing, R&D and logistics with a minimum of 30% of the site being promoted for advanced manufacturing.
Thrive would also provide dedicated space for entrepreneurial, high technology start-up businesses, leading advanced manufacturers and high value logistics companies, all within a landscaped parkland setting.
The proposed site layout includes high quality buildings designed to align with IM Properties’ Sustainable Futures strategy and its focus on People, Planet and Place. This approach has informed the application for building and landscape design, biodiversity, highways improvements, active travel and a commitment to social value.
With around half the site dedicated to green and blue infrastructure, a network of accessible open spaces and lakes will feature community orchards and allotments, trim trails, play space and areas of reflection for use by site occupiers and the community alike. A central green corridor will lead to a mobility hub, offering eco-friendly transport options such as buses, bicycles, e-scooters, and smart EV charging stations.
Thrive will also bring benefits including skills, training, education initiatives and support for projects which could benefit communities surrounding the site throughout the delivery and operation of the development, with IM Properties establishing a framework within which future occupiers can also support local communities.
