AMEC Developments has secured outline planning consent for a £50m multiplex-anchored leisure and business park at Castle Gate Park, Dudley.
The site, off Birmingham Road, will have 24,154 sq m (260,000 sq ft) of offices and 13,935 sq m (150,000 sq ft) of leisure including a multi-screen cinema, night club, bingo hall and health & fitness club.
AMEC’s Alastair Blacklaws confirmed that the company has not ruled out speculative development, although he is also considering design and build options on the office element of the park.
Although there are at least seven leisure schemes proposed for the West Midlands, Blacklaws sees his main competition coming from London & Easter’s proposed 4,645 sq m (50,000 sq ft) leisure scheme anchored by Odeon in Oldbury. “The race is now on to secure an operator,” said Blacklaws.
Last year Dudley Council selected AMEC ahead of St Modwen Properties and Folkes Properties as joint venture partner to redevelop the site. English Partnerships is contributing £10m towards the development.
Grimley is acting for AMEC on the Castle Gate scheme.
EGi news 02/07/97
