Plans submitted for cornerstone work in Wolverhampton’s new ‘green innovation corridor’
Plans have been submitted to build new ‘cornerstone’ employment land as part of a ‘green innovation corridor’ in Wolverhampton.
The Six Mile Green project would see 20,000 square metres of workshops, offices, laboratories and warehouses built around the University of Wolverhampton’s Science Park as part of a direct link with its city centre Springfield Campus and Jaguar Land Rover’s engine plant and rest of the the i54 industrial park.
The ‘green innovation corridor’ project is being designed to focus on green computing, construction and engineering and hopes to attract robotics, precision engineering and aviation and aerospace firms as well as businesses specialising in medical technologies and automotive manufacturing.
A number of existing buildings would be demolished and two university car parks would be turned into office, workshop and warehouse space.
New canalside units would also be built with the nearby railway viaducts transformed as part of the ‘green corridor’.
The application also boasts of the project’s green credentials and how it will use low carbon and energy-efficient materials and solar panels as well as support walking and cycling and increase biodiversity with more plants, trees and ponds.
The sites are expected to be cleared by March 2027 and work would hopefully begin by early 2029.
The project has already received £27m in government funding and would create 1,200 jobs according to the council.
The planning application has been submitted to help start to clear the site and “attract developer interest,” the local authority said.
More than 270 parking spaces would be lost as part of the work although much of the park and ride site is unusued and has been largely empty since last being used as a testing site during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
The designs also include a potential 150-space multi-storey car park replacing another of the Science Park’s car parks but have not been included in the application.
Councillor Chris Burden, the council’s cabinet member for development, jobs and skills, said the project would “drive the Green Industrial Revolution” and build on the city’s “sustainable construction, green credentials and circular economy for transformation that will create quality jobs and training opportunities for local people.”
Pete Cross, chief operating officer at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “This transformative initiative will unlock new opportunities for collaboration, investment, and sustainable growth across the region.
“As a founding partner, the university is committed to driving innovation and skills development that support the transition to a net zero economy.
“The corridor will strengthen our existing hubs at the Science Park and the Springfield Campus, and the development of Six Mile Green will further enhance our ability to attract high-value industries and create meaningful career pathways for our communities.”
