Work has officially begun on a major new industrial and urban logistics development in Wolverhampton, as Caddick Construction breaks ground at the £28 million Foundry Business Park.

Located on a 15-acre brownfield site off Brook Street in Bilston, the scheme is set to transform a long-vacant plot into a modern employment hub comprising 166,500 sq ft of logistics and industrial space. The development is led by Goold Estates, the City of Wolverhampton Council's chosen partner for the site, with Caddick Construction appointed as the main contractor.

The project marks the final phase of the council's wider regeneration initiative at Bilston Urban Village and has the potential to create up to 330 new jobs once completed.

Supported by a £12.5 million investment from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the scheme is part of a broader regional strategy to revitalise derelict sites for housing, employment, and commercial opportunities.

Foundry Business Park will feature 15 units ranging in size from 2,513 to 63,466 sq ft, designed for a wide range of uses. Sustainability is a key focus, with the scheme aiming for BREEAM Excellent and EPC A ratings. Units will include energy-efficient features such as LED lighting, photovoltaic roof panels, and electric vehicle charging points. The development is expected to be ready for occupancy by spring 2026.

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Dominic Goold, Managing Director of Goold Estates, highlighted the significance of reaching the construction phase: "This brownfield site has a complex industrial legacy, including coal mining and steel making, which meant it remained vacant for over 20 years. Progressing the site’s development required extensive consultation, so reaching the construction phase is a significant step forward.

"We have considerable experience regenerating derelict sites that deliver lasting economic and environmental benefits. Foundry Business Park has the potential to create hundreds of jobs, support growing businesses, and attract new investment to the region."

Councillor Stephen Simkins, Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "The new industrial and distribution units being developed at Foundry Park will deliver hundreds of jobs for our residents.

"It is great to see the council’s chosen developer for this employment land, Goold Estates, progressing this scheme as the final part of the council’s Bilston Urban Village transformation.

"With further investment on site or in the pipeline for the town, the future is bright for Bilston as we deliver the platform for businesses to grow and thrive – in turn providing opportunities for local people."

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the WMCA, added: "Regenerating derelict urban land for new homes and jobs is a key part of my Growth Plan, which will help reignite our regional economy and drive a new era of prosperity.

"Foundry Park will create more than 300 jobs for local people and provide modern, high-quality workspaces that will help local businesses to grow and thrive.

"This is exactly the sort of investment that drives economic growth and changes lives for the better."

Ray O'Sullivan, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction Midlands, said: "This impressive 15-acre project at Foundry Business Park is not only transforming underutilised brownfield land, but it also supports regional economic growth, job creation and supply chain investment.

"We're pleased to have been selected as main contractor on the development and as our project pipeline, portfolio expertise and presence across the Midlands continues to grow, so does our valued supply chain network. We're committed to delivering the highest quality for our client, Goold Estates, and will do so with a respected local network of subcontractors. We look forward to bringing the build to life in the coming months."