Industrial plans for site of car importer

The disused Black Country offices of an international car importer are set to be demolished and replaced with an industrial complex.

It is hoped the scheme in West Bromwich could create dozens of new jobs if an occupier can be found.

International Motors Ltd wants to demolish its former offices off Ryder Street and build a 40,000 sq ft industrial building in a recession-busting plan. The firm still has its Subaru, Daihatsu and Isuzu parts distribution operation based in a warehouse on the site, employing 40 people.

But office staff were moved to a new base in Coleshill, Warwickshire, two years ago.

The firm's property wing, IM Properties, has now submitted an application for outline planning permission to Sandwell Council for the new scheme, which could cost several million pounds.

Plans include a 36ft-high building and a 71-space car park on the two-acre site and would be aimed at a firm taking it over for manufacturing, assembly or warehouse use.

Bosses from the firm have said they are confident there will be enough interest for the development to go ahead, despite the current economic climate.

Company spokesman David Cooper said that it was too early to put an overall cost on the work, but it could run into several million pounds.

"Plans to redevelop the site are seen as a demonstration of IM Properties' continuing confidence in the local industrial market," he said.

"If planning consent is granted, the timetable for redevelopment of the site will depend on the economic upturn and the demand for manufacturing, assembly or warehouse space in the region. The number of jobs that could be created as a result depends on the type of business that takes the building," he added.

He said they were hopeful that the development could go ahead as the industry was starting to show "green shoots" of recovery.