AceOn expands with second office and new jobs

Thriving UK battery specialist AceOn has opened a new office in the West Midlands – creating new jobs and taking its founder back to his home patch.

AceOn, which has its headquarters in Telford, has expanded into Solihull to focus on its growing  residential, commercial and industrial energy storage business.

The move will create four new jobs and marks a return to Solihull for AceOn founder Mark Thompson, who set up his original battery business in a garden shed at his father’s home in the town in 1990.

Mark said the Solihull move was the first part of an expansion strategy which could see the company setting up a new warehouse and manufacturing facility in the West Midlands Combined Authority area later in the year.

“This is a really exciting development for AceOn and marks a new phase of our growth ambitions. Our new office is on Blythe Valley Park, the premier business park in the region, and means we are superbly placed right in the heart of the country.

“Our ambition is to establish a larger manufacturing plant and warehouse in the Solihull and Coventry area later in the year, from where we can grow the storage side of the business still further. Of course, our headquarters will remain in Telford where we are very happy.

“We’ve had terrific support from Solihull Council in the past and as someone raised in Solihull and passionate about the borough, I look forward to working with them again in the future.”

Mark said the company was now looking for a senior electrical engineer, contracts and installation manager, business development executive and sales executive as part of its drive to be a leading national distributed power solutions provider.

“The West Midlands is the home of UK innovation and manufacturing and I have been very impressed with the ‘green revolution’ that Mayor Andy Street has been leading right across the Combined Authority. Our region has the best pool of talent of anywhere in the UK, which is one of the reasons for expanding here. These new jobs are based in Solihull and will be ideal for people with the drive, skills and ambition to match our business.”

AceOn has more than 30 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of custom-built battery packs, supporting the development of new battery technologies and products, and the distribution of industrial and consumer batteries to the worldwide market.

The energy division provides a training, service and distribution centre to offer a full turnkey solution for residential and commercial battery energy storage systems.

The group has built a reputation as being specialists in solar and battery technology, particularly the development of bespoke, custom-built battery packs. Mark and AceOn have been selected by the UK Government as one of its Export Champions.

Accessed on: AceOn Expands With Second Office And New Jobs | AceOn Group

Solihull Council has adopted a refreshed version of its borough-wide transport strategy and accompanying delivery plan, known as ‘Solihull Connected 2023’.

This updated strategy repositions the council’s approach to transport over the next decade, setting out its vision for a multi-modal transport system that accesses all parts of the borough, supports the economy, is safe to use and makes the borough healthier and fairer for communities, businesses, and visitors.

The strategy, representing the council’s policy position on transport investment, was first adopted in 2016, however an updated version has now been produced which seeks to respond to some of the shifts in transport policy and travel patterns we have seen over the past six years. The refreshed strategy also looks at, and responds to, the impact of Covid-19 on people’s travel habits in the Solihull and considers how to best cater for growing populations and ageing demographics across different areas of the borough.

The current transport network in Solihull is predominantly focused towards providing access to Birmingham City centre and, whilst that remains important, Solihull Connected 2023 seeks to also provide a multi-modal transport system that links people to jobs and enhances the economy of Solihull. A particular focus is placed on improving transport links from the North of the borough to Solihull town centre and on joining up many of Solihull’s rural communities which are underserved by public transport.

 

To help achieve the vision and objectives contained in Solihull Connected 2023, a delivery plan has also been drawn up, which sets out in more detail the steps that will be taken to deliver Solihull Connected and how they will be resourced. The main focus of this delivery plan spans April 2022 to March 2027 to align with the first 5-year tranche of approved West Midlands City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement capital funding. This live document will be added to and updated as required over the coming months and years.

A 6-week public consultation on the updated strategy took place over January and February via the Council’s new engagement platform ‘Your Voice Solihull.’ This dedicated website received nearly 2000 visits and captured over 70 in-depth responses. As part of the consultation a series of face-to-face information sessions were also held around the borough, where members of the council’s transport team were able to answer questions from residents and collect valuable feedback on a range of key issues including changes to bus services, parking, traffic enforcement, cycle infrastructure and EV charging provision. These comments have been fed into the strategy and captured in an accompanying consultation report.

Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for the Economy, said:

“These are exciting times for the borough. Already one of the best-connected destinations in Europe, Solihull is perfectly positioned to benefit from significant new investment in our transport network, benefitting our economy, environment, and health. A comprehensive and up-to-date transport strategy is vital if we are to capitalise on these opportunities.

“Delivered properly this strategy has the potential to maximise opportunities associated with the arrival of HS2, help revitalise our local town centres, provide access to areas of new housing, enhance our natural environment, improve air quality, and tackle carbon emissions, all while lifting life chances in our most disadvantaged communities by improving access to jobs, education and housing.

“We know that different parts of the borough have distinctive needs and so this strategy contains recommendations tailored for six separate sub-areas. A key priority for me, and one I am pleased to see reflected in Solihull Connected 2023, is a focus on improving connections between the North of the borough and Solihull town centre.”

Cllr Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“The vision underpinning Solihull Connected is a simple one. We want to develop a multi-modal transport system that provides access to all parts of the borough, supports our economy, is safe to use and makes the borough healthier and fairer for communities, businesses, and visitors.

“Solihull Connected 2023 looks at why and how we travel and sets out the policies, initiatives and interventions that can be taken to improve travel and transport across the borough. The ambition behind it is to plan for balanced investment in transport infrastructure that still caters for cars, while also emphasising alternatives. We received some really positive and constructive feedback during our recent consultation, and I feel confident that the vison, aims and priorities in our updated strategy are the right ones.

The updated strategy can be viewed here: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/About-the-Council/Solihull-connected

Solihull Council’s state-of-the-art self-driving shuttle has been put to work ferrying passengers around Birmingham Business Park in the latest round of on-road trials.

This most recent deployment forms part of a wider Council-led project which aims to test out how Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) might be safely and seamlessly integrated into the borough’s transport network in the future.

Solihull is already playing a leading role in the development and deployment of CAV technology. In 2021 Solihull Council became the first local authority in the country to purchase its own electric and fully autonomous shuttle, using a grant from the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP). Since then, successful passenger trials have been carried out at both Birmingham Airport and the NEC, where the shuttle was also used in the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay. Building on the success of these deployments, this latest trial will see the shuttle take to Solihull’s roads once again, this time transporting passengers along a pre-mapped loop of the business park while again interacting with other road users.

Designed and manufactured by Coventry’s Aurrigo, the futuristic looking Auto-Shuttle can carry up to ten passengers and uses a suite of sensors, including LiDAR, to understand its surroundings and move around safely. For the purposes of testing, the shuttle will be limited to a top speed of 20mph. In line with current legislation, a safety operator will be on-board at all times, and will be able to take control of the shuttle at any point if required.

As well as business park employees, the passenger trials will also be open to members of the public who want to experience one of the first fully self-driving shuttles in the UK. Visitors to the business park can book their ride by going to: www.solihull.gov.uk/cavtrials

The CAV will be running at Birmingham Business Park until the end of March.

These trials are providing Solihull Council and its partners with real-world test cases and data which is being used to better understand how this technology might be used in the future. Last month larger scale plans for a Multi-Area Connected Automated Mobility (MACAM) project were announced. Overseen by a regional consortium led by leading autonomous technology provider Conigital, part of this exciting development project will seek to establish a new permanent commercial route between Birmingham International rail station and Birmingham Business Park through the NEC using a new fleet of new self-driving vehicles. The current trials at Birmingham Business Park will be used as an important pathfinder project ahead of this more ambitious project.

Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, said:

“CAV technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we get around our towns, cities and rural areas and, Solihull is playing an increasingly important role in this emerging sector.

“We’ve already carried out a series of successful pathfinder trials here in Solihull which are showing how it is possible, taking a safety-first approach, to practically start incorporating autonomous vehicles into our future transport infrastructure.

“The results of this trial will provide further knowledge and experience of self-driving vehicles in a real-world environment, helping to inform our future mobility services and highway infrastructure design across Solihull and the wider region

“Alongside the exciting opportunities CAV technology represents in terms of improving future transport and connectivity, this emerging industry also offers our well-established local research and advanced manufacturing sector huge potential for further economic growth in our borough and across the West Midlands.”

Lori Henebury, Marketing, Community and Business Development Manager, Birmingham Business Park:

“Birmingham Business Park already lies at the heart of one of the best-connected destinations in the UK and Europe.

“Operating in a busy, but controlled environment, we hope these latest trials will help to provide even morel real world operating experience which can be used to further improve efficiency and safety for passengers.

“We are really excited to be working with Solihull Council on this, and to gain valuable insight into ways we may be able to further improve our site access and transport links, while also working towards our net zero carbon ambitions.”

Further information is available at www.solihull.gov.uk/CAVTrials.

A report detailing the outcome of the full business case for phase 1 of Solihull’s proposed town centre energy network was taken to the Council’s Cabinet session last night.

The network will utilise low carbon and renewable energy, distributing heat from a single Energy Centre, directly into town centre buildings via a system of underground pipes.

Despite the complex picture in the current construction and energy markets the business case for this exciting project has been successfully concluded, strengthened by emerging National Policy and the Council’s own net zero ambitions.

Full Planning approval for the Energy Centre building, which will lie at the heart of this network (on land next to Tudor Grange Leisure Centre), was granted in May 2021. Housing a range of renewable and low carbon energy solutions, including Air Source Heat Pumps and Gas Combined Heat and Power, the Energy Centre will provide heat and power to nearby public and private sector customers, including Council owned buildings, education campuses and commercial offices. These customers will benefit from a highly efficient and affordable new low carbon heat supply.

Currently, CO2 emitted from heating in Solihull accounts for almost 30% of the borough’s total greenhouse gas emissions (over 400,000 tonnes of CO2e annually).

For individual buildings, decarbonising heat is expensive and often disruptive to occupants. A town centre energy network enables existing buildings and new developments to benefit from centrally based low carbon heat generation with minimal disruption and in a cost-effective manner benefitting from economies of scale.

Since securing planning permission for the Energy Centre, the project team have continued working with partners to finalise a robust Full Business Case (FBC), which has now been concluded, and are in the process of completing the next steps to establish an Energy Services Company to appoint the contractor to build, maintain and operate the network.

So far, funding for this carbon saving scheme has been provided by the government’s Heat Networks Investment Programme (HNIP), with a further £2.9m recently awarded (subject to conditions) to help mitigate against current pressures in the construction industry and wider energy market. This is in addition to the £5.9m already secured from HNIP and previously secured West Midlands Combined Authority funding to develop the business case. The Council’s own investment in the project will be provided through £8.7m of prudential borrowing.

Underpinned by detailed financial modelling, the recently completed FBC forecasts that the project will be able to repay this borrowing, resulting in a small surplus over the lifetime of the scheme. With more customers expected to sign up as additional connection phases of the project are rolled out (each subject to further business case assessment), this rate of return will further improve.

Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Planning & Housing said:

“The UK government’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, and WMCA’s ambition to achieve this goal by 2041, supports the need to commence the switch of heat generation from fossil fuels to low carbon or renewable heat alternatives. Locally we are supporting the delivery of this ambition through the promotion of our very own Net Zero Action Plan (NZAP).

“The establishment of a heat network in Solihull town centre offers a clear opportunity to make significant reductions in CO2 emissions while offering customers greater certainty in a transitioning energy market. The potential carbon savings associated with our heat network are considerable. Phase 1 alone is projected to save 26,109 tonnes of CO2e over 25 years. That’s equivalent to the total annual emissions of over 5000 individual Solihull residents. Phase 1b, is projected to save a further 10,000 tonnes and future phases could provide an additional 70,000 tonnes reduction.

“While the financial modelling is complex, it demonstrates that an affordable position can be obtained with the ability to deliver both increased carbon savings and a greater financial return as further connection phases are rolled out. What we now have is a compelling business case which shows that, if done right, this scheme will eventually pay for itself while delivering a range of key benefits in the meantime. The carbon savings will make a material contribution towards the Council’s response to the climate emergency, while also providing good value to customers and to helping promote and encourage investment in Solihull Town Centre. This project also brings huge environmental education opportunities and builds further pride in Solihull’s low carbon commitment.”

First phase customers could be hooked up and start benefitting from the network from as early as Autumn 2024.

To receive regular email updates on this scheme sign up to our stay connected bulletin.

 

Muse, the nationwide placemaker, has appointed world-renowned architect, urban designer and landscape architect, Studio Egret West, to lead on the creation of a new masterplan for the £3.2bn Arden Cross regeneration.

In November 2022, Muse was selected as the development partner for the 346-acre scheme by the landowning partnership Arden Cross Limited, and the team has looked to accelerate momentum behind the project by appointing Studio Egret West as the new masterplanner.

The once-in-a-generation creation of a new neighbourhood in the heart of the West Midlands, maximises the opportunity of the HS2 Interchange Station at Arden Cross in Solihull and is being enabled by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) with £57m committed to date to the wider infrastructure.

It will become an exciting new community, creating up to 27,000 jobs as well as up to 3,000 homes, places to work and innovate, alongside vital infrastructure and attractive public spaces for all to enjoy.

Both Muse and Studio Egret West will now work with wider partners and stakeholders in the UK Central Hub, of which Arden Cross is just one component, and includes HS2, Department for Transport, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, and the Urban Growth Company. All partners are working together to deliver a range of shared priorities and to bring forward a refreshed vision for one of the UK’s most important regeneration opportunities.

In September 2022, the Arden Cross partnership also signed memorandums of understanding with the University of Warwick and University Hospitals Birmingham, to investigate the potential of a medical and technology campus as part of the proposals which will be included in the revised masterplan.

Studio Egret West has a vast portfolio of designing holistic masterplans in partnership. The firm has led on the design for the regeneration of Digbeth in Birmingham, Mayfield in Manchester, and New Bermondsey in London among others across the world.

Studio Egret West is one of the UK’s most experienced practices, in bringing forward regeneration frameworks with strong narratives that are a balanced combination of people focused, amplified nature, and unlocking infrastructure.

Maggie Grogan, development director at Muse, said:

“Studio Egret West is one of the most exciting and experienced practices around, so we’re thrilled to have them on board to support the delivery of Arden Cross.”

“It’s a sign of our shared ambition that we’re moving swiftly and wasting no time in creating the ingredients to bring forward a new sustainable destination for the region.

“In due course, we’ll showcase a new masterplan and refreshed vision, and will work closely with the community and other stakeholders to develop it. Our approach will be bold, creative, collaborative and we’ll work tirelessly to deliver for the people of the West Midlands.”

David West, Founding Director of Studio Egret West commented:

“Arden Cross is a top 10 UK regeneration opportunity and incredibly complex given the major infrastructure at its heart.”

“The opportunity to craft a multi-layered environment that blends the city with the countryside is what makes the project so exciting. We hope to interweave a place activating programme with nature-based systems.

“With our experience delivering similar types of schemes, both in the West Midlands and elsewhere, we are looking forward to developing a masterplan vision which the region can be proud of.”

Centrally located and globally connected, Arden Cross is on its way to becoming a major global destination providing a world class environment for working, living, learning and leisure.

 

Accessed on: Studio Egret West appointed to £3.2bn Arden Cross – Arden Cross, UK Central

An ambitious new concept masterplan focusing on Chelmsley Wood town centre has been approved, clearing the way for further design and the submission of an outline planning application.

Plans are focused initially on the Northwest Quarter of the town centre, where the Job Centre, former library site and Police Station* are located. This key part of the town centre is currently underutilised and physically cut off from the rest of the centre. It is hoped that this will be the first step in a phased plan of redevelopment which could see the town centre completely transformed over the next ten years.

When Chelmsley Wood town centre was first built in the late 60s and early 70s it represented some of the latest thinking in urban planning and design. However, as the way people use and enjoy their local centres has changed, many of the buildings and much of the layout has been left feeling dated and impractical. The town centre has enjoyed significant investment and development over the years and received a welcome boost in 2008 when a new ASDA supermarket opened. However, in a recent survey, visitors highlighted their desire to see a range of improvements, including an enhanced selection of shops, bars, and other leisure and entertainment outlets, as well as a community hub, more green spaces, and improved connectivity within and around the town centre.

Last year Solihull Council began public consultation on its emerging masterplan for Chelmsley Wood town centre. This exercise explored what future investment and development in the town centre might look like while seeking to identify priority areas for improvements. Working with stakeholders a series of deliverable masterplan options for this area were drawn up.

Over the past 12 months, the Council has continued working with architects from BDP and key stakeholders, to further develop and refine these options into a Preferred Option Masterplan which was approved at Cabinet last night. Key features contained within the first phase of this preferred option include:

  • Establishment of a discount food store on the former library site facing east, with an office block along the eastern edge, providing an attractive frontage to Kingshurst Brook.
  • Creation of a new town square and enhanced public space. This includes a pedestrian link from the existing upper-level shopping precinct to connect with this area.
  • Establishment of a small commercial pavilion next to the discount food-store fronting the new town square (potentially for café use).
  • Treatments to the front of the former postal office sorting facility to create a more attractive frontage.

 

Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council and Portfolio Holder for the Economy, said:

“The regeneration of Chelmsley Wood town centre seems like a daunting task but is one that I have been keen to see since I first became a councillor. Having a masterplan in place for the Northwest Quarter marks the first step towards a series of phased improvements that will secure the future vibrancy of this well used and much-loved town centre.

“We enjoyed some really positive engagement with local residents, businesses and shoppers in Chelmsley Wood when we presented some of our early proposals last year and I’m hoping this will continue. We are planning some pre-application engagement before preparing our outline planning application and there will be plenty of other opportunities to help shape this exciting project as it progresses.

“This will be a challenging scheme to deliver and could take a number of years to complete, but we will work closely with stakeholders, landowners and external funders to provide the right solution for residents and secure the future vibrancy of Chelmsley Wood town centre.”

Residents can sign up to the Council’s new ‘Chelmsley Wood Town Centre Masterplan’ Stay Connected bulletin to receive updates on the project.

* The Police building will remain in place until funding and details for a replacement are agreed.

Deals for more than 20,000 sq ft of Grade A office space have been agreed at Birmingham Business Park.

A quartet of new deals have been struck for space at the site, which will see house builders Persimmon Homes and Stonebond moving into new premises, along with parts specialist TVH UK and system water quality specialist Spirotech.

Avison Young, KWB and JLL acted on behalf of asset management firm BlackRock to negotiate the deals for the four office spaces. Persimmon Homes will be taking 10,723 sq ft, Stonebond has moved into 3,534 sq ft, TVH UK has taken 3,909 sq ft of office space and Spirotech has signed for 2,018 sq ft.

This latest collection of deals comes off the back of 50,000 sq ft of lettings on Birmingham Business Park in the first half of 2022, with the Government leasing 37,500 sq ft – marking the largest deal at the park in 22 years.

Adrian Griffith, principal and head of Birmingham office agency at Avison Young said: This collection of deals shines a spotlight on the enduring stability and resilience of Birmingham’s out-of-town market and shows that businesses are continuing to invest in office space within an ever-changing market.

“Sites like Birmingham Business Park are key players in bringing companies back to the workplace for prime office space. BlackRock has new stock coming back to the market in 2023 including two self contained Grade A buildings extending to 60,000 sq ft and 16,000 sq ft.”

News item taken from: Persimmon Homes among string of new occupiers at business park | TheBusinessDesk.com

Solihull Council has launched a 6-week consultation on a refreshed version of its borough-wide transport strategy and accompanying delivery plan, known as ‘Solihull Connected 2023’.

This updated strategy repositions the Council’s approach to transport over the next decade, setting out its vision for a multi-modal transport system that accesses all parts of the borough, supports the economy, is safe to use and makes the borough healthier and fairer for communities, businesses, and visitors.

The strategy was first adopted in 2016, however an updated draft has now been produced which seeks to respond to shifts in transport policy and travel patterns and behaviours we have seen over the past six years.  The refreshed strategy also looks at, and responds to, the impact of Covid-19 on people’s travel habits in the borough and considers how to best cater for growing populations and ageing demographics across different areas of the borough.

The current transport network in Solihull is predominantly focused towards providing access to Birmingham City centre and, whilst that remains important, Solihull Connected 2023 seeks to also provide a multi-modal transport system that links people to jobs and enhances the economy of Solihull. A particular focus is placed on improving transport links from the North of the borough to Solihull town centre and on joining up many of Solihull’s rural communities which are underserved by public transport.

To help achieve the vision and objectives contained in Solihull Connected 2023, a delivery plan has also been drawn up, which sets out in more detail the steps that will be taken to deliver Solihull Connected and how they will be resourced. The main focus of this delivery plan spans April 2022 to March 2027 to align with the first 5-year tranche of approved West Midlands City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement capital funding. This live document will be added to and updated as required over the coming months and years.

A 6-week public consultation on the updated strategy launches today (Monday 9 January) via the Council’s new engagement platform ‘Your Voice Solihull’ and will run until Monday 20 February 2023.

To view the draft strategy and take part in the consultation visit: https://yourvoicesolihull.uk.engagementhq.com/solihull-connected

Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council and Portfolio Holder for the Economy, said:

“These are exciting times for the borough. Already one of the best-connected destinations in Europe, Solihull is perfectly positioned to benefit from significant new investment in our transport network, benefitting our economy, environment, and health. A comprehensive and up-to-date transport strategy is vital if we are to capitalise on these opportunities.

“Delivered properly this strategy has the potential to maximise opportunities associated with the arrival of HS2, help revitalise our local town centres, provide access to areas of new housing, enhance our natural environment, improve air quality, and tackle climate emissions, all while lifting life chances in our most disadvantaged communities by improving access to jobs, education and housing.

“We know that different parts of the borough have distinctive needs and so this strategy contains recommendations tailored for six separate sub-areas. A key priority for me, and one that is reflected in Solihull Connected 2023, is a focus on improving connections between the North of the borough and Solihull town centre.”

Cllr Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Member for Economy and Infrastructure, said:

“The vision underpinning Solihull Connected is a simple one. We want to develop a multi-modal transport system that provides access to all parts of the borough, supports our economy, is safe to use and makes the borough healthier and fairer for communities, businesses, and visitors.

“Solihull Connected 2023 looks at why and how we travel and sets out the policies, initiatives and interventions that can be taken to improve travel and transport across the borough. The ambition behind it is to plan for balanced investment in transport infrastructure that still caters for cars, while emphasising alternatives. We received some fantastic input and endorsement from members of the public and stakeholders last time round and I’m hoping people will get involved again to help make sure we get this right.”

A series of information sessions will be held across the borough for residents to find out more, discuss the strategy with members of the transport team and share their thoughts. These sessions will be held at:

  • Chelmsley Wood Library / Monday 16 Jan / 09:30 am – 13:00 pm
  • Knowle Library / Thursday 19 Jan / 09:30 am – 13:00 pm
  • The Core Library / Friday 27 Jan / 11:00 am – 15:00 pm
  • Balsall Common Library / Monday 30 Jan / 14:00 pm – 17:00 pm
  • Olton Library / Tuesday 14 Feb / 09:30 am – 13:00 pm

A Coventry parts specialist is set to relocate to Birmingham following the completion of a deal by commercial property agency Bromwich Hardy.

TVH UK has sold two industrial buildings in Coventry and will now move its offices to Bishops Court at Birmingham Business Park.

The firm which specialises in parts for material handling, industrial vehicles, construction and agricultural equipment, will now move into 3,909 sq ft of ground floor office space at 6240 Bishops Court. The five-year lease also includes the use of 23 parking spaces.

Surveyor Sam Cooper oversaw the negotiations, was named the West Midlands property sector’s Rising Star earlier this year at The PROPS Awards 2022. He said: “We were involved in all stages of this project and I’m delighted that we have been able to both sell TVH UK’s existing buildings and find them a great new base in Birmingham.

“TVH tasked Bromwich Hardy with finding them offices as close to Birmingham airport as possible to accommodate staff moving out of the industrial building in Coventry.

“Birmingham Business Park fitted the bill perfectly. It’s close to the airport, Birmingham International station and the M42 motorway, so it has great access to the whole of the national motorway network as well as the upcoming HS2 rail link.”

Taken from: Parts specialist set to relocate to Birmingham | TheBusinessDesk.com

 

Arden Cross Limited, the consortium behind the £3.2 billion, mixed-use commercial and residential destination at the heart of the Midlands, has agreed a landmark development deal with national developer, Muse.

The agreement will see the 140 Ha (346-acre) Arden Cross regeneration move forward with one of the UK’s leading names in mixed-use development, who has the appetite, as well as a proven, 37-year track record of delivering complex places in partnership that bring positive, generational benefits to communities.

Arden Cross Limited is a special purpose delivery vehicle created by landowners Birmingham City Council, Packington Estate and Coleshill Estate to drive forward the potential of the site where the new HS2 Interchange station is already under construction and will provide fast connections across the country, including direct links to central London in just 38 minutes. The Arden Cross masterplan builds upon this exceptional connectivity at the very heart of the country, with its co-location alongside the NEC campus, Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International station.

Muse makes the perfect partner for pushing ahead with plans to create 3,000 new homes, up to 6 million sq ft of employment space and up to 27,000 new jobs. The first phase of development could come forward as early as 2025 and could see a range of facilities and employment opportunities created.

The link up with Muse comes swiftly after Arden Cross Limited recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) and with the University of Warwick to explore opportunities for bringing forward a new Medical & Technology Campus to deliver world-beating innovation in the healthcare and technology sectors.

Wider partners in the development which forms part of the UK Central Hub also include HS2, Department for Transport, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the Urban Growth Company who are working together to deliver a range of shared priorities.

Ben Gray, Project Director with Arden Cross Ltd, said:

“Arden Cross is focused on delivering sustainable growth for the region and the whole of the UK and we know Muse will help us achieve this.”

“We’re committed to working together to capitalise on the masterplan principles and deliver transformational change for the region while creating a world leading economic hub for the UK in a unique public-private partnership that leverages the superb connectivity of Arden Cross.”

Maggie Grogan, Development Director for Muse, said:

“This is a truly unique opportunity to bring forward a landmark destination for the UK that’s a beacon for growth in the Midlands and we’re immensely proud to be joining the team.”

“As a business, we’re committed to delivering sustainable regeneration at pace, while at the same time bringing real, tangible benefits to communities and we can’t wait to get started.”

Cllr Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, said:

“This is another vote of confidence in Solihull and the region and our shared commitment to net zero carbon by 2030. A green, accessible and thriving new destination for the UK, Arden Cross has the potential to really add to our regional and national economy and the news that an experienced organisation like Muse is on board will fuel our ability to reach our objectives.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, landowners at Arden Cross said:

“Muse is a highly respected partner in large scale urban regeneration up and down the country and their experience will be put to good use here in the Midlands. As a landowning partner at Arden Cross, Birmingham City Council is committed to bringing forward the site masterplan as quickly and as effectively as possible and Muse will help us achieve this for the good of everyone in the region.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

“With more than £800 million of investment already committed to the Arden Cross site, there is a huge amount of national and indeed international interest in the tremendous potential of the site to serve a multiplicity of uses. This announcement with a partner of the calibre of Muse reinforces that interest and maintains the momentum around this landmark public private partnership. I’m confident that Arden Cross can and will be a real exemplar of the Levelling Up agenda – boosting the regional and national economy and changing lives locally for the better in the months and years ahead.”

International real estate advisor JLL led the marketing process to attract the new development partner which generated serious interest from many well-known market leading organisations from the UK and beyond.  After a 12 month plus procurement process Muse was selected as the partner of choice as it demonstrated a clear understanding of the principles of sustainability and connectivity at the heart of the scheme and is an experienced, empathetic and creative partner with strong placemaking credentials to build upon the investment to date and maximise the masterplan aspirations to create an exceptional new UK destination.

Centrally located and globally connected, Arden Cross is on its way to becoming a major global destination providing a world class environment for working, living, learning and leisure.

Original news item taken from: Arden Cross Selects Muse as Development Partner – Arden Cross, UK Central