2,000 prospective jobs at Birch Coppice
Almost 2,000 additional jobs could be created at Birch Coppice, one of the largest rail-served distribution parks in the West Midlands, following a planning application for an extension at the site. IM Properties has submitted plans to North Warwickshire Borough Council for a phase-two masterplan extension of 123 acres at Birch Coppice Business Park, close to junction 10 of the M42 motorway, capable of developing 2 million sq ft of B8 distribution and logistics space. Phase one of the scheme is already home to distribution giants UPS and CEVA and in 2006 became the chosen location for the Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal (BIFT). Subject to planning consent, the second phase will be developed on part of the 400 acres acquired from British Coal by IM Properties in 1997, along with the former Birch Coppice Colliery site. According to Mike Eagleton of marketing agent Eagleton and Company, IM Properties’ decision to commit a substantial investment in infrastructure works is market-driven, overlaid by a strong recommendation from the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy, which addressed the region’s rail freight logistics capacity and constraints. The Strategy identified the potential for a further 98.8 acres to complete phases one and two at Birch Coppice.
