Plans for designer outlet village, Mill Green, has been approved by Cannock Chase District Council’s planning committee, paving the way for the development of a major new upmarket regional retail and leisure destination that will create more than 1,200 jobs.
The development is the biggest of its kind in the West Midlands, costing more than £110m (€154m). The scheme will bring considerable inward investment into the region, placing the West Midlands firmly on the designer outlets map and providing a huge economic boost.
The 28,500m² retail and leisure destination will offer up to 130 designer outlet retail units, new restaurants and a cinema as well as approximately 2,000 car parking spaces. Located next to Mill Green Nature Reserve with excellent public transport links and easy access to the M6 and M6 Toll road.
The area will also benefit from considerable investment in off-site costs and improvements, including the widening of Eastern Way and the addition of much-needed pedestrian crossings. Neighbouring Cannock Station and Mill Green Nature Reserve will also benefit from extensive landscaping, as well as better pedestrian and cycle access via a new heritage trail.
The development – led by partners U+I and Rioja Developments – is expected to attract around three million visitors each year, specialising in quality designer brands that are not normally found in local town centres. In an interview with managing director of Rioja Developments, Giles Membrey, he notes the consumer led move towards more designer and premium brands having an outlet channel as outlets are no longer viewed as a poor relation or inferior.
About the planning approval, Giles Membrey, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled with Cannock Council’s planning committee decision to approve our plans to develop a major designer outlet village, particularly as we know there is such a good a demand for this kind of retail offer.
“The scheme will create over 1,200 new jobs and many much needed apprenticeships, which will provide a real boost to the local economy. Mill Green will become a ‘must go to’ destination that will complement other centres and attract thousands of additional visitors each year, putting the area firmly on the visitor map.”
Richard Upton, Ddeputy CEO, U+I added: “This is a major decision for the region around Cannock. The new outlet centre will generate more than £500 million of socio-economic improvements over the next ten years, representing a major regeneration project for the West Midlands.”
With planning approval granted, phase one of the development could now commence by the end of 2016, with an anticipated opening in 2018.
