Matthew updated the meeting on the exciting Thrive development – a three million square foot scheme which will deliver growth in the advanced manufacturing, R&D and logistics sectors, close to Junction 9 of the M42.
The development will play a major role in meeting the huge shortage of employment space available in the region but which has been suppressed by the planning process, resulting in the decision to appeal against the non-determination of its planning application.
Matthew said the Government’s changes to the planning system were positive but that they would inevitably need time to filter down to local authorities’ decision-making and, as a result, much-needed development and investment remains on hold.
He said: “Thrive is precisely the type of development that the Government wants to see come forward because it would deliver inclusive growth as a home to a range of employers bringing highly-skilled, well paid jobs to North Warwickshire and the West Midlands.
“It is the most ambitious development we’ve brought forward to date and would have a hugely positive impact on the regional economy for years to come.
“We’ve been promoting this site for nearly a decade but the planning system has consistently failed to meet the needs of strategic employment. Businesses want to come here now, not in another five or six years, so every month of delay risks investment going elsewhere – and those opportunities don’t come back.
“Local planning authorities are significantly under resourced and still getting to grips with the Government’s reforms but there’s an urgent need to enable strategic, cross‑boundary developments such as Thrive.
“When a site serves the needs of Birmingham, Solihull and North Warwickshire simultaneously – providing opportunity for nearby deprived communities facing significant challenges - it needs swift strategic decision‑making.
“The new national planning framework is a huge step forward but, after another ten months with no clarity over a decision on Thrive and an oven-ready development ready to proceed, we had no choice but to appeal to the Secretary of State which we hope will result in a favourable decision later this year.”
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The shortage of employment land is, undoubtedly, holding back growth in our regional economy.
“We were extremely grateful to Matthew and IM Properties for highlighting Thrive at our Local Business Forum and we will continue to make the case that the planning process for schemes such as this must move more quickly.
“The Government has made improving the planning process one of its drivers of growth and what this development underlines is that there is still work to be done to make sure those changes start to have a positive impact on development.”
Pictured: Businesses meet at the North Warwickshire Local Business Forum
