Aims

The site is located at the gateway to the Wolverhampton Telford Technology Corridor and will play a key role in the diversification and growth of the North Black Country and South Staffordshire Regeneration Zone through the creation of an anticipated 6,000 new jobs within a world class development whilst achieving high standards of design and sustainability.

Source: 2001 Census

A schedule of population, Workforce, Unemployment Age Structure and Skills/Qualifications is available here.
A schedule of % workforce by sector is available here

Objectives

These include:

• To attract investment and development resulting in the creation or safeguarding of over 6,000 jobs primarily in high value high technology industries by 2020.
  
  
• To ensure high quality development is achieved that is as good as or surpasses contemporary business, technology and science parks in the region, UK and abroad.
  
  
• To minimise the environmental impact upon the surrounding residential and business community during construction works and thereafter.
  
  
• To build a positive image for the development that inspires the confidence of the residential and business community and is attractive to potential occupiers.
  
  
• To facilitate good accessibility to the site by all transport modes to ensure its opportunities are available to all sectors of the community.
  
  
• To provide a mechanism for the sustainable management of the completed development and its communal facilities and open spaces.
  
  
• To work with local training partners to improve skills of the local community in relation to job opportunities. This will be a contract condition in accordance with Regulation 39 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 and Article 26 of Directive 2004/18/EC.
  
  
• To create a leading edge development in terms of design and sustainability.
  
  
• That part of the site which is "Major Investment Site" might ultimately be most suited to a direct sale to an occupier. AWM and WCC in entering into an agreement with a development partner, would not wish to prejudice this possibility. The way in which this element of i54 is dealt with will, as a consequence, require careful consideration.

Development so far

Following the acquisition of land and formation of the joint venture partnership between AWM and WCC, the focus has been on removing constraints to development through extensive site preparation works and maximising its development potential by securing outline planning permission.

The first phase of reclamation was completed in May 2005. This compromised off site removal of contaminates and site levelling of the former Pendeford Tip on the eastern part of the site.

The second phase site preparation works comprises ground works to form development plots, installation of site drainage system, constriction of the principal spine road and footpath network, fencing, landscaping and the creation of new ecological habitats including wetland area in the north east corner of the site.

The ground works and soine road were completed in September 2007. Landscaping is scheduled to be completed during 2008.

A development for the future

Submissions are invited by AWM and WCC from interested developers, or a consortium of developers, for the development of the whole of the i54 site which comprises both a Regional Investment Site and a Major Investment Site. Bids will therefore only be accepted from parties with the ability to ultimately deliver the project as a whole.

The selected development partner will need to demonstrate that they understand and support the aspirations and development policies of the land owners in creating a site of local, regional, national and international importance.

It is envisaged that development will take place in a series of phases and include a variety of uses as provided for within the planning consent. Interested parties should note that early development is essential and submissions should consider how, when and what style of development is envisaged on the site.

By necessity with a development of this size there will be substantial amounts of common areas and landscaping. The management regime for a scheme such as i54 is critical to its future success to ensure the objectives of all stakeholders are met. Detailed consideration should be provided by bidders on how they intend to manage these areas including their upkeep and maintenance for the future. Details of the basis of disposal of plots should be considered bearing this in mind.

Only high quality development schemes achieving a BREEAM or equivalent rating of at least “very good” with specific attention to be drawn to the sustainability of development will be considered.

The successful development partner will be required to demonstrate the ability to deliver high quality development of different styles of building and construction reflecting AWM and WCC’s sustainable agenda.

AWM’s Sustainable Development and Built Enviroment, Sustainability and Design Standards are available at www.i54online.com