IM submits plans for Thrive, a £343m employment park in Warwickshire

Midland-based property developer IM Properties has submitted planning application to North Warwickshire Borough Council and Birmingham City Council for Thrive, a £343m new business park in North Warwickshire, West Midlands. IM is delivering 3m sq ft of industrial space, with at least 30% of the site dedicated to advanced manufacturing. The aim is to create a new hub for highly-skilled employment in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, rail, low-carbon technologies, and digital innovation. Located along the M42 corridor — an area facing a significant shortfall in strategic employment land — the development is considered a key asset for the West Midlands’ industrial ambitions. Once fully operational, the project, known as Thrive, is expected to support between 4,400 and 6,000 full-time jobs. Thrive will feature tailored space for pioneering high-tech start-ups, leading manufacturers and premium logistics firms. The 333 acres site has been designed with sustainability in mind, supporting businesses in their transition from fossil fuels to fully electric operations. The planning application follows two rounds of public consultation involving local residents, businesses, regional stakeholders, and a dedicated youth panel focused on employment and skills. In total, the company has collaborated with over 50 stakeholders to shape the social value strategy for the project. Lewis Payne, development director at IM Properties said: “Against a challenging global economic and geopolitical backdrop, the West Midlands needs a new employment site to support domestic high-quality advanced manufacturing, R&D and logistics. This is vital to securing a resilient, diverse local economy, and at a time when opportunities for many people in Britain are limited, it’s also about ensuring we can create skilled jobs and deliver wider social value. “Thrive is central to supporting the region’s industrial strategy and it can create significant new job opportunities across North Warwickshire, north east Birmingham and north Solihull.” Image: © IM Properties