100 jobs on way at landmark West Bromwich site

Sandwell Council is expected to approve plans to work with developers Opus Land on a scheme which will turn the open space off Kelvin Way into a 160,000 sq ft site for manufacturing.

Two firms are already lined up to take on the two units which will be built at the site. The authority will not reveal the identities of these two firms but they are expected to support other local industries, including Jaguar Land Rover's i54 engine plant in Wolverhampton.

But the scheme has attracted objections including an 160-strong petition from local residents who say the open space is used by dog walkers and other more suitable sites are available elsewhere.

Council chiefs are due to take no action in regards to the petition when they meet to discuss the scheme on Wednesday. A planning application has yet to be submitted.

A report to the chairman of the asset and land disposal cabinet committee, Councillor Mahboob Hussain, said: "This proposal will enable new manufacturing uses to come forward, where without intervention the site would remain underused and not contribute to the economy. This proposal could provide new employment opportunities by attracting new companies to the borough, potentially creating over 100 new jobs, and construction training for local people."

Initial proposals would see a 57,000 sq ft production facility for the design and manufacturing of engine parts, expected to create around 70 new jobs. A second unit of 30,000 sq ft would be occupied by a distributor to the electrical industry's wholesale trade that would employ around 30 staff.