Telford factory bid 'shows confidence in town'

The Shropshire Star revealed yesterday that plans are afoot to build a 600,000 sq ft factory in eastern Telford, providing a huge jobs boost.

The plant would be approximately two thirds the size of JLR's factory, which is two exits further along the M54 from Junction 4, and leads onto the developing T54 site near Stafford Park.

It could, alternatively, be built as two factories or warehouses, 220,000 sq ft and 300,000 sq ft in size, which would also provide a huge boost to the local economy.

The move has been given a warm welcome by local civic and business leaders, who said such a facility could "put Telford on the map".

Richard Sheehan, chief executive of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "The initial growth and development of Telford was built on inward investment, much of it from foreign owner companies.

"Since then we have seen the continued growth of the local business community and it's exciting to learn that once again we have a potentially very significant inward investment project coming our way that puts Telford on the map and shows that the partnership working between the business and public sectors is making Telford an attractive proposition.

"While I have no direct knowledge of the potential occupant, the unit size would suggest manufacturing or warehousing.

"Both tend to be significant employers which is great for the economy."

The factory applications has been submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council by the Homes and Communities Agency.

Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota said: "We welcome the application from the HCA for outline planning on this site at T54.

"This is yet another example of investors having confidence in Telford.

"Any development on this site would bring much needed employment opportunities for local people and our increasing population.

"It would also ensure the continued growth of our local economy, which is already growing faster than the rest of the region."

The plant has the potential to be among the biggest in Telford.

Faccenda's extension to its factory on Hortonwood gave it a total floorspace of around 150,000 sq ft – quarter of the size of the potential facility at T54 – and that now has a workforce of around 1,000.

A similar number are employed at Jaguar Land Rover's current engine plant at I54, which is bigger than T54 at one million sq ft, and which is to almost double in size in the coming years.

Japanese manufacturers own some of the biggest plants in the county.

Printer specialist Ricoh employs 800 people in Telford, and its entire site covers around 53 acres – larger than the 37 acres on offer on Plot 6 of the T54 site.

Mr Sheehan added: "We have seen significant investment in the town centre, and the creation of a night-time economy, which shows real confidence in Telford as a go-to place, and a place that's really forward-thinking.

"That enhances Telford's attractiveness for businesses that are looking to relocate or come into an area of the UK.

"It's a great example of payback for the confidence that has been put into Telford."

He added that the town's proximity to JLR's plant was also paying dividends.

"Something as high profile as JLR, with the significant supply chain, is a really good thing for Telford," he said.

"The really big positive is that Telford has land available, whereas around the JLR factory is virtually tied up.

"We are in a great place to capitalise on the opportunities that may be generated by the establishment of JLR."

T54 is in Naird Lane, opposite the entrance to the Stafford Park Industrial Estate between Junction 4 of the M54 and Queensway.

The site was already home to some significant local employers, including Torus Measurement Systems and crime prevention specialist SmartWater.

Since the development land was launched by the HCA, other businesses have begun to build their own factories on the site, with Axyz Automation becoming the first newcomer to T54 last month.

Bridgnorth-based manufacturer Filtermist is also close to completing its own new factory on the site, with an official opening pencilled in for the autumn.

HCA spokesman Lisa Cattanach said: "The emerging business park at T54 is arranged into seven plots.

"Plot 6 is the largest at 14.97ha and capable of delivering a large employment development.

"As such, the HCA has applied for outline planning permission for this plot to get the site ready for potential development. We anticipate firm occupier interest will follow the planning application.

"This is part of on-going enabling works for the whole T54 site to attract investment into the area. T54 has already successfully attracted new employment to Telford, including Filtermist who are now on site, development underway by Axyz Automation Ltd and expansion of Torus Measurement Systems facilities on the site."