Walsall Council and HBD, part of Henry Boot, have announced the completion of the first phase of a £100 million regeneration project at SPARK in Walsall. This two-year remediation effort, undertaken by contractor John F Hunt, has laid the groundwork for transforming the former James Bridge Copper Works site, previously the largest undeveloped brownfield site in the Black Country.
SPARK is planned as a 40-acre logistics and manufacturing hub, developed in collaboration with Walsall Council, Homes England, West Midlands Combined Authority, and Black Country LEP. Construction is expected to commence early next year, with plans approved for 620,000 square feet of space, which aims to enhance the Midlands’ manufacturing and logistics economy, creating approximately 1,100 jobs. The first units are anticipated to be ready for occupancy by Q3 2025.
The remediation process was completed without sending thousands of tonnes of material to landfills, helping to minimize vehicle movements and achieve carbon savings. A total of 1.3 million tonnes of material was excavated and processed, much of which was recycled to establish the development platform for SPARK, while also treating 5.7 million litres of groundwater.
Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, stated, “Reaching this milestone at SPARK is a significant achievement, transforming what was once the largest undeveloped brownfield site in the Black Country into a development-ready project. SPARK is essential for meeting demand for high-quality, sustainable manufacturing space in the West Midlands while boosting the economy with over a thousand new jobs. Its prime location has generated strong early interest from potential occupiers.”
Cllr Adrian Andrew, associate leader of Walsall Council, expressed enthusiasm for the progress made, stating, “Seeing how much progress has been made at SPARK is encouraging, and I look forward to the start of construction. This project is pivotal for Walsall and will create numerous job opportunities and business prospects. It has taken significant effort to reach this stage, and I am proud to work with HBD to bring this site back into economic use for the benefit of local residents.”
Guy Scott, Project Director for Homes England, remarked, “The completion of the remediation works represents an important milestone for the SPARK project, paving the way for the development of a sustainable site that will provide essential employment opportunities in Walsall and the surrounding area.”
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