SIXTEEN-ACRE KINGS NORTON SITE SOLD TO ST FRANCIS GROUP FOR REDEVELOPMENT
Harris Lamb has sold a 16-acre site in Kings Norton to the St Francis Group, which intends to see the site redeveloped to help fulfil the housing shortage within the region.
Harris Lamb sold the Ardath Road site, located off Parsons Hill, on behalf of STVA (UK).
Andy Lamb, Director of Harris Lamb, said: “We were involved with this site some 20 plus years ago when it was operated by Toleman Group and used for car storage and distribution for Rover. When Rover failed, the site became vacant and passed into the ownership of STVA (UK) who purchased the company that then owned the site.”
The site was originally mined for clay to supply adjoining brickworks, before being filled and capped. The site extends to 16 acres, approximately 12 acres are developable, due to a steep bank that runs along two sides of the site.
St Francis Group, which has now purchased the site for an undisclosed sum, specialises in dealing with difficult and contaminated sites.
Rob Braid, Managing Director of St Francis Group said: “This was a seriously challenging site, but we could see the residential potential on the basis that the site could be remediated.
“We undertook a series of tests before agreeing a remediation strategy with the Local Authority, Environmental Agency and the National House Building Association, and a sale has been agreed for the remediated site to Bellway Homes with a planning application submitted.”
Andy added: “We’re very pleased to have been involved with this development – it will be great to see an important city site put back into use. There is a well documented shortage of homes in the region, and as a derelict empty site is no good for anybody, this seems an excellent way to bring it back into usage.”