CLIENT
-
Friends Life
CLIENT INDUSTRY
-
Development
SERVICES PROVIDED
-
CPO, Planning, Petitioning
LOCATION
- Birmingham
SIZE/VALUE:
- £25m
DATE
- Ongoing
CHALLENGE
Friends Life owned c 50 acres of development land in Washwood Heath (the former LDV site) HS2 proposals are to create the main rolling stock maintenance depot (RSMD) on the site with the remainder utilised for storage and spoil drying and transportation. Friends Life wished to develop the site as a major distribution centre along with the local Counsellor who wished to see this site brought into beneficial use immediately rather than await the HS2 works.
As part of the petition process Friends Life sought to pursuade the Select Committee to relocate the RSMD to another site.
SOLUTION
Whilst the position related to engineering options Savills provided planning, valuation and site finding advice in connection with the relocation of the RSMD to an alternative location.
RESULTS
Whilst the team was not able to pursuade the Select Committee to relocate the RSMD we were able to reduce the amount of permanent land take and to leave Friends Life with an area of land to the south of approximately 10 acres that they could bring forward for development immediately. This was documented in an undertaking agreement.
The CPO team have since submitted a compensation claim for the land acquired along with the estimated diminution in value of the retained land, sought and received an advance payment and are in the process of negotiating the claim for compensation. This is ongoing.