IM Properties, a prominent developer of employment parks in the West Midlands, has formally appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to compel two councils to decide on its ambitious Thrive employment park development. The £363 million project is planned on the Birmingham and North Warwickshire border, near Curdworth by Sutton Coldfield, strategically located close to Junction 9 of the M42.
The proposed Thrive park would span approximately 124 hectares—roughly 150 football pitches—transforming land currently designated as Green Belt, which IM Properties argues includes ‘grey belt’ territory that no longer fulfills all Green Belt purposes. The developer envisions the park generating up to 6,000 jobs, providing critical space for advanced manufacturing, research and development, logistics, and high-tech startups.
IM Properties submitted cross-boundary planning applications to North Warwickshire Borough Council and Birmingham City Council in May last year. However, nearly a year later, no decision has been reached by either authority, prompting the developer to seek intervention from the Planning Inspectorate to accelerate the process.
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Matthew Fox, Planning Director at IM Properties, emphasized the urgent need for approval: “Our proposals will deliver significant benefits for Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Businesses are ready to invest and bring jobs here now—not in several years’ time. Delays risk losing investment to other regions, which may not return.” He added that local authorities face resource challenges and that national planning reforms create a complex environment for assessing large-scale projects like Thrive.
The development promises a sustainable and community-friendly design, including landscaped parklands, open spaces, lakes, orchards, allotments, and recreational trails. A central green corridor will connect to a mobility hub featuring eco-friendly transport options such as buses, bicycles, e-scooters, and smart electric vehicle charging stations. Furthermore, Thrive aims to provide extensive education, training, and community support initiatives.
Despite these plans, local residents have voiced strong opposition. Many fear the transformation of rural Green Belt land into a sprawling industrial zone and worry about increased traffic congestion around Junction 9 of the M42. Councillor Ken Wood has repeatedly raised concerns about the strain on local roads, particularly noting that existing infrastructure near Dunton Island is already at capacity.
IM Properties maintains that its appeal to the Planning Inspectorate is the best avenue to deliver a timely and balanced decision, one that considers the region’s economic needs and sustainable growth. The company asserts that Thrive represents a vital opportunity to stimulate inclusive economic development across North Warwickshire and the broader West Midlands.