The first potential occupier for the 40ha (98.8 acre) Blythe Valley business park in Solihull, West Midlands, has been identified as Prince APG, a US automotive components supplier based in Michigan.
Kingspark Developments and British Land have submitted a detailed planning application to Solihull Council for an 11,754sq m (126,523sq ft) automotive components plant for Prince.
The design, production and assembly plant will be the company’s first in the UK. Prince is setting up in the UK because it won a contract to supply car doors for Jaguar’s new X200 car.
However, Prince is understood to be considering land at Fradley Park, Lichfield in Staffordshire, if planning consent is not granted for the Solihull site.
John Sammons, head of the council’s Local Plan section, said the application would probably be discussed at the development control sub-committee in late August. However, it could be referred to the full planning committee in the middle of September.
Blythe Valley business park is to be built on a farmland site at Hockley Heath, most of which is owned by the council. Speyhawk was originally involved as developer. The DOE called in the scheme for assessment along with rival business park proposals round the M42. Blythe subsequently got the green light for up to 111,480sq m (1.2m sq ft) of mixed space.
Savills is advising Kingspark and British Land, but it is understood that additional agents will be appointed.
EGi News 24/07/96
