Birmingham City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), advised by Savills, have selected leading Midlands based developer Trebor Developments to bring forward the first speculative industrial facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMH) in Aston.

Working in conjunction with its funding partner, Aviva Investors, Trebor will develop a new 94,500 sq ft (8,779 sq m) premises known as ‘Apollo’ on a 4.7 acre (1.9 hectare) site.  As part of the AMH, the land benefits from a Local Development Order which grants planning consent for manufacturing, light industrial and R&D use without the need for a conventional application.  Fast track implementation is therefore due to begin in spring 2016 and be completed before the end of the year.

HydraForce Hydraulics was the first occupier to commit to the AMH in 2014 and more than 500 staff are now based at its 120,000 sq ft (11,148 sq m) European headquarters there.  Additionally, global tool manufacturer Guhring is developing a 50,000 sq ft (4,645 sq m) factory at the AMH, which will accommodate R&D and full manufacturing process upon completion in January 2017.

Councillor John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, comments: “I am delighted that Trebor and Aviva have chosen to invest at the Advanced Manufacturing Hub.  The investment illustrates the confidence in the city’s advanced manufacturing sector and demonstrates my commitment to deliver growth and regeneration in areas outside of the city centre.”

Bob Tattrie, managing partner of Trebor Developments, adds: “We are delighted to have been selected to bring forward this outstanding site which is centrally located in Birmingham and to be working in partnership with our funding partner, Aviva, and public sector partners, HCA and Birmingham City Council.  The delivery of this fast track, large, industrial, manufacturing premises adds to a range of other industrial schemes which Trebor is delivering across the Midlands to meet the growing demand for quality manufacturing premises.”

Will Hutchinson, associate director at Aviva Investors, adds: “This site represents an excellent opportunity to deliver a high quality manufacturing property to the market in an accelerated timescale. We are excited by the growth prospects in Birmingham and we believe this property will attract a good quality tenant resulting in more jobs for the local area.”

Charles Spicer, industrial director at Savills, comments: “As the first speculative development at the AMH, this is a major milestone.  The investment will create more jobs for the area and further enhance this successful regeneration project.

Trebor and Aviva have jointly instructed Savills and Cushman & Wakefield as the letting agents for Apollo.