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Kidderminster British Sugar site development in limbo (From Kidderminster Shuttle)
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Kidderminster British Sugar site development in limbo
9:17am Wednesday 9th December 2009
A PLANNED major development at the former British Sugar site in Kidderminster has been hit by the recession, the firm behind the proposals has admitted.
It was hoped up to 2,000 jobs could be created by a flagship “eco park”, mixing business and education opportunities.
No work has begun on the site yet, though, and some councillors are worried it could stay disused for years to come.
Independent Community and Health Concern councillor for Lickhill, Dixon Sheppard, said: “This is a prime industrial site and I don’t want it to be wasted.
“I appreciate we are in the middle of a recession but I don’t want the council to take their eyes off the ball.”
Developer, Cill Dara Property Partnership, told The Shuttle last July that the first phase of work was likely to start within two years.
Cill Dara development manager, Peter Burford, has now said he could not give a start date, explaining the plans had been delayed by the “incredible recession” and “in particular, its desperate effect on the Kidderminster area”.
He added Cill Dara was still trying to attract businesses to the proposed site but the economic downturn had “slowed things down”.
Mr Burford said a website for the development was currently being set up, adding: “We are working very hard with every new enquiry that is made and, at some point, we hope to bring a big name to the site.”
Plans to demolish the old factory’s landmark silos at the end of last year were shelved, due to a lack of investment.
Cabinet member for economic regeneration and planning, Conservative, Stephen Clee, said, as the land was privately owned, Wyre Forest District Council’s options were “limited”.
He went on: “We have zoned the land for industrial use but at the moment, with the recession, the owners of the site are not doing anything with it.”
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