U + I (formerly Development Securities) and Rioja Developments have been given the go-ahead for a major new regional designer outlet village in Cannock, West Midlands.
Cannock Chase district council’s planning committee unanimously resolved to grant consent for the 285,306 sq ft scheme, paving the way for the biggest development of its kind in the West Midlands.
In view of the size of the £110m scheme, the council’s decision will now be referred to Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for him to decide whether the application should be called-in or not.
The outlet village will comprise up to 130 designer outlet stores, new restaurants and around 2,000 car parking spaces on a site located next to the Mill Green Nature Reserve, within easy access of the M6 and M6 Toll road. Local infrastructure improvements will also be made, including the widening of Eastern Way.
Richard Upton, deputy chief executive at U+I, said: “This is a major decision for the region around Cannock. The new outlet centre will generate more than £500m of socio-economic improvements over the next 10 years, representing a major regeneration project for the West Midlands.”
It is anticipated that the added retail activity and associated visitor spend would add around £34m in annual GVA.
The first of phase of development is due to start by the end of 2016, with an anticipated opening in 2018.
