The government is set to determine whether IM Properties can build a 3m sq ft business park near Birmingham, after the Midlands developer lodged a planning appeal following a delay in determining its application.
IM Properties said it had submitted a cross-boundary planning application to North Warwickshire Borough Council (NWBC) and Birmingham City Council (BCC) for Thrive, a business park scheme with a gross estimated investment of £343m, to be sited near Curdworth and Junction 9 of the M42.
Both councils have been approached for comment.
A spokeswoman for IM Properties said: “The appeal has been lodged to ensure that a decision is made in a timely manner, but also to ensure that the benefits of the development, which could have a regional impact, can be properly assessed.”
Asked if IM Properties would consider legal action against the councils, she said: “The planning appeal process is the formal route to securing a timely decision.”
The spokeswoman added: “IM Properties continues to engage constructively with both North Warwickshire Borough Council and Birmingham City Council. As the application has not yet been determined, it would not be appropriate to comment on their positions at this stage.”
Matthew Fox, planning director at IM Properties said: “We have taken the decision to lodge an appeal to speed up the process to determine our application.
“This is because our proposals will deliver significant benefits for Warwickshire and the West Midlands and need to be considered thoroughly by the government, especially in the light of revised national planning policy and the lack of local policy to properly assess large employment projects like Thrive.”
IM Properties is part of the IM Group, set up by Lord Robert Edmiston – who built up a business importing Subaru and Isuzu cars – and now run by his son Andrew.
Please visit:
Our Sponsor