i54 reaches new milestone

South Staffordshire District Council's planning committee unanimously approved Advantage West Midlands’ application to vary the current planning consent for the flagship i54 development site triggering an £11 million road improvement package.

Last night’s planning committee decision follows on from Wolverhampton City Council’s approval of the application at the beginning of the month.

The approval will enable developments of up to 50,000 sq ms as part of the first phase. In the current commercial market it is felt this will make i54 more attractive to developers, investors and tenants, offering opportunities of sufficient size to companies wishing to locate on i54.

Approval is subject to an £11 million investment into the local road system to minimise the traffic impact of this larger Phase 1 i54 development.  Special attention will be paid to dealing with the congestion created by the current layout of Vine Island, which intersects Wobaston Road and the A449. Phase 1 will also see the provision of bus services to the site with improved cycling and pedestrian facilities, all intended to reduce private car usage. There will also be initiatives to direct Heavy Goods Vehicles and other car traffic away from nearby residential areas.

Speaking on behalf of Advantage West Midlands, Partnership Director Mark Foley, said:
“I’m pleased that South Staffordshire councillors approved the planning application as the measures proposed will make the i54 development more attractive to potential developers, investors and tenants to deliver high quality jobs.

“With this approval in place we can now begin work on the £11 million transport package with Wolverhampton City and South Staffordshire councils, taking into account the concerns raised by South Staffordshire councillors last night.  The package will improve road junctions near to the site, tackle congestion by managing HGV and private car usage, as well as creating better access to the i54 site.