Battery Way extension unlocks key employment site in East Birmingham

The extension, which is being delivered under a design and build contract by Amey, provides access to the 20-acre Mucklow Park employment site which will deliver up to 340,000 sq ft of high quality space for manufacturing, distribution and warehousing uses on a site just three miles from the city centre, off the A41 Warwick Road.

Mucklow Park is being developed by Halesowen-based A&J Mucklow Group plc one of the Midlands' best-known property companies. Construction has now commenced on the £40m industrial scheme and the group has already signed a deal with a major tenant for the first phase with Decora Blinds taking a lease on a 58,000 sq ft distribution unit.

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "The Battery Way extension is a great example of our partnership working with the private sector and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership to unlock a key employment site. This is about working together to create jobs and opportunities for Birmingham citizens."

Councillor Waseem Zaffar, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, at Birmingham City Council, added: “As well as unlocking development in this area, the new road will improve safety for all road users, by re-routing through traffic away from residential areas, while also providing improved facilities for non-motorised users. Enhancements at the Reddings Lane and Olton Boulevard West junction will enable better management of traffic, by using traffic signal control and providing safe crossing routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

"These measures aim to encourage more sustainable means of travel. This is particularly important given that there are two existing schools in the area, with another one proposed to open within the next couple of years."

Mark Vernon, Development Director of Mucklow, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Birmingham City Council to bring forward development of this significant industrial site. The Battery Way extension will really enhance the prominence and profile of our new business park.”

“We've gained detailed permission for the first phase of 135,000 sq ft and construction is under way. A 58,000 sq ft distribution unit is being built for Decora Blind Systems and seven smaller industrial units of between 5,100 sq ft and 14,200 sq ft are being built speculatively, and will be available in Autumn 2019.”

“We have two remaining plots which can accommodate units of up to 100,000 sq ft and these can be delivered on a design and build basis to suit occupiers’ exact requirements including fit-out.”

Steven Jaggers from JLL's Birmingham-based logistics and industrial team, which are joint marketing agents with Harris Lamb said: “The pent-up demand for quality space can be seen because even ahead of starting on site, there's been a significant pre-let. Decora, a manufacturer of household blinds, has signed for a 58,000 sq ft unit, which will become their new UK distribution hub from next summer.

“They're a long-established business, based in Northern Ireland, but with a distribution hub in Birmingham. Their products are sold throughout the UK and into Europe, so they needed to expand, and we're delighted they've chosen to come to Mucklow Park Tyseley.

“Mucklow Park will be attractive to manufacturers and logistic businesses, as there is an excellent labour pool, but equally, with 1.5m people within just ten miles, it will also work well for logistics uses or 'last mile' deliveries.”

The Battery Way Extension scheme has received support from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) with £3.71 million of funding being allocated from its Local Growth Fund programme.

Chris Loughran, Deputy Chair of GBSLEP, commented: “Providing better access to Mucklow Park, through the Battery Way extension, will help to develop a site that has the potential to attract a range of growing businesses. By bringing more companies into this part of Birmingham, we hope that the access road will help to create new skilled jobs for local residents – and help to boost the regional economy as a result.”

Further information

GBSLEP

The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) is a partnership of business, public sector and further and higher education. Its mission is to drive sustainable economic growth across the city-region, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for everyone.

The GBSLEP area spans nine local authority areas: Birmingham, Solihull, East Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Tamworth, Redditch, Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest. For more information about GBSLEP, please visit the website, subscribe to its newsletter or follow on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can view the LEP’s full notes to Editors here.