A planning proposal to build Mill Green Designer Outlet Village, a new £10 million premium retail precinct in the West Midlands, has been given the green light by the local council.
Situated in a former open cast valley next to a nature reserve in Cannock, the 6.5 acre scheme would house up to 130 designer outlet stores, new restaurants and create 12000 new jobs.
There will also be around 2000 car parking spaces within easy access of the M6 motorway.
Led by a partnership of Rioja Developments and U+I, the retail outlet could generate £500 million of socio-economic and town centre improvements for Cannock over the next 10 years.
U+I is also collaborating with marketing firm BWP Group to help drive the brand marketing collateral as part of its aim to attract around three million visitors into the area each year.
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“We intend to create a unique experience in factory outlet retailing which will complement the beautiful environment, including a real focus on sustainability,’ U+I chief executive Richard Upton said.
Rioja Developments managing director Giles Membrey said the planning approval from Cannock Chase District Council was a “key stage” in the development of Mill Green.
“It‘s a unique location in terms of both the commercial opportunity and surrounding landscape,” he said.
“We can now finalise our plans for the scheme before we make a start on site next year.”
Phase one of the development could start by the autumn 2017, with an opening date pencilled in for spring 2019.
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