VAUGHAN TRADING ESTATE, TIPTON
We were appointed to develop and submit a hybrid planning application to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in relation to a largely redundant industrial estate in Tipton. The application sought to obtain approval for the creation of 500,000 sqft of new flexible industrial floorspace. The Site had previously been allocated for residential development within the Council’s Site Allocations DPD, however the client considered that the redevelopment of the Site for its existing use would prove more commercially viable.
Our Solutions
In carrying out this project, we developed a detailed planning case to justify the proposed departure from the Council’s Site Allocations DPD. The case involved outlining a number of important facts that supported the retention of the industrial use, such as a buoyant commercial property sector in the West Midlands, a significant lack of available industrial floorspace in the area and recent investment in existing businesses adjacent to the Site, including a foundry.
The Outcome
The application was fully supported by the Council and received unanimous approval from Sandwell Planning Committee. The success of this project resulted in the creation of almost 1,000 new jobs on Site. A subsequent detailed planning permission was obtained on part of the site for a Distribution Centre to serve DPD, a leading UK delivery company.
