Case study
Longbridge West
Redevelopment of the former MG Rover plant for 339,000 sq ft of industrial space
The challenge
Longbridge West is the redevelopment of the brownfield former MG Rover car plant, derelict for 20 years since the plant's closure.
Indurent, formerly St. Modwen Logistics, appointed DevComms Midlands to deliver community and stakeholder engagement on the final parcels of land, to be redeveloped for industrial logistics use.
Planning policy stipulated the site should be used exclusively for advanced manufacturing, and residents of the adjacent St. Modwen Homes developments had moved in on that understanding, raising clear concerns about HGV movements if logistics uses came forward instead. The task was to secure approval for B8/B2 logistics and storage uses against the policy position and bring key local stakeholders on board.
Our approach
DevComms arranged three separate site visits for local councillors from both the Conservative and Labour groups, prospective candidates ahead of the local elections, and the newly elected Member of Parliament. By presenting the vision for the site directly, we secured the buy-in of every stakeholder engaged ahead of the planning committee. This was supported by a thorough online consultation and direct liaison with the residents most affected by the proposals, minimising objections on the planning portal.
The outcome
The application went to committee with an officer recommendation for approval despite the policy context, with no one registered to speak against the scheme. Planning consent was granted unanimously.
