IM Properties

Blythe Valley Park becomes testbed for new green technology

IM Properties has teamed up with an award-winning, global tech firm to create a regional testbed for a new energy-saving streetlight system at Blythe Valley Park (BVP) in Solihull. Designed to reduce the use of electricity by up to 62.5%, the innovative smart system has been designed by Enzen, an

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Works start on £7.5m mixed-use residential development in Solihull

Construction works have started to create a new neighbourhood centre and residential apartments at Blythe Valley Park in Solihull. Led by Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson, the works will involve the construction of four new mixed-use high quality apartment buildings at Blythe Valley Park – as part of client IM

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Latest Issue
Issue 325 : Feb 2025

IM Properties

IM Properties win double at the 2020 Industrial Agents Society Awards

The 33rd Industrial Agents Society Awards celebrated the achievements of the property sector on Thursday 24th September 2020. The annual luncheon and ceremony may have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a virtual awards ceremony taking its place, but that did not have any impact on IM Properties celebrating being recognised with two nominations and subsequent awards. IM Properties picked up two awards, one for Deal of the Year – over 250,000 sq ft for the JLR global logistics parts centre at Mercia Park which is the largest ever UK pre-let; and they were also awarded the prestigious award of Developer of the Year which was voted for by IAS members – recognising the continued successes of the business over the last 12 months and its contribution to the industry. Amongst an incredibly difficult backdrop over the last 12 months, we are thrilled to have been recognised and awarded for our continued work to bring forward key new developments that invest in the local community, deliver key infrastructure and assist with local economic recovery. Kevin Ashfield, UK Development Director for IM Properties said: “It is fantastic to not only be recognised for the hard work and perseverance and the huge team effort that went into the Mercia Park deal which will result in something hugely significant for the region, but to be declared the Developer of the Year makes me extremely proud of the team. We always push to achieve what we set out to and deliver schemes we can be proud of. A massive thank you to the Judges and the members that voted for us.” For more information on the awards please see: awards.industrialagentssociety.com.

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Winvic on-site at IM Properties’ Mercia Park Having Successfully Won Significant Civils and Infrastructure Contract

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been appointed by IM Properties to construct Mercia Park. The 238-acre employment park is located in north west Leicestershire, adjacent to junction 11 of the M42, and will be home to leading international businesses Jaguar Land Rover and DSV Group. Winvic’s £21 million civils and infrastructure contract comprises an extensive earthworks programme, where over 1 million m3 of material will be excavated and remodelled to accommodate the development plateaux and 3000m of screening bunds. The earthworks have been designed to transport as little excavated earth from the site to reduce HGV traffic in the local community and highways network. Currently, a Volvo EC950 Crawler Excavator is being utilised on site to carry out a large proportion of the vast earth moving task; it is the very first of its kind and the largest crawler excavator to be used in the UK. The 90-tonne machine is capable of excavating 7m3 of material – and lift up to 39,900kg – in each bucketload, facilitating fast and efficient movement of earth. Additionally, 7,500m of underground drainage will be installed also by Winvic, three areas of highway improvements and footpaths throughout the park will be constructed and extensive landscaping works – including up to 30 acres of new woodland – will be undertaken. The civils and infrastructure works began on 2 June and are due be complete in December 2021. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Director of Civils and Infrastructure, commented: “Having completed some vast earthworks programmes in the last few years, Winvic’s reputation in this area is becoming ever more robust. Our clients understand that we deliver schemes of any scale in a safe, expeditious and commercially viable way. Having worked with IM Properties on many other projects, it’s rewarding to know their team have confidence in everything we deliver; utilising the specialist trimble based machines and remodelling the plateaux intelligently to avoid disposing of excesses of material off-site illustrates our strategic outlook to design, regardless of the sector or size.” Jason Jasper UK Project Director, from IM Properties, added: “When developing a scheme of this scale, it’s important to partner with trusted suppliers who not only have the resources and skills to deliver the project, but share in our commitment to create a best in class scheme, working with the local community and creating a positive lasting legacy we can all be proud of.” For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.  

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Blythe Valley Park becomes testbed for new green technology

IM Properties has teamed up with an award-winning, global tech firm to create a regional testbed for a new energy-saving streetlight system at Blythe Valley Park (BVP) in Solihull. Designed to reduce the use of electricity by up to 62.5%, the innovative smart system has been designed by Enzen, an occupier at BVP and winner of  ‘Business of the Year’ at the  Birmingham Signature Awards 2020 for its excellence and innovation in utilities. The new system uses sensors to control the streetlights and dim them when the roads are not in use.  It incorporates wireless communication and an inbuilt app within the 63 smart LED streetlights to identify maintenance and repairs required to ensure optimum performance. It can also add a renewable energy source such as solar panels or smart battery power at a later date to drive further energy efficiencies. IM Properties invested in the £90,000 technology during the lockdown and reports that if successful, the system could not only be rolled out across its own portfolio but provide Enzen with a living lab to showcase the solution to other organisations, within the private and public sector, achieve their sustainability goals. Rob Hemus, asset director at IM Properties said they were pleased to be utilising the skills of one of BVP’s occupiers to create a more sustainable lighting system for the park and create real savings for occupiers. “Despite lockdown, we decided to proceed with the project as there are wider environmental and sustainability gains for the Park and it was a chance to carry out a major infrastructure project without disruption to our occupiers.  The new system should begin to deliver savings on the electricity used by the streetlighting immediately. “Since we bought Blythe Valley Park in 2014 we have invested steadily in the on-site infrastructure and this latest initiative is part of our ongoing strategy to add value for occupiers and create a high-quality working environment and sustainable best in class scheme for people to live, work and relax.” For Enzen, BVP provides an exciting new opportunity to collect live data and demonstrate the benefits of technology to new and existing customers. Harsha Anand from Enzen added: “Cities and communities will play a major role in making energy to be more available, affordable and sustainable. Smart technology and smart telecommunications will be enablers in this energy transition journey. We are very happy to be supported by IM Properties in making our base at Blythe Valley Park (BVP) in Solihull into a Living Lab Showcase for these Smart Technologies.” BVP near junction 4, M42,  is one of the Midlands first truly mixed-use schemes set amidst 122 acres of parkland, with 25 businesses employing 3500 people and combining commercial, industrial, leisure and residential.

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Works start on £7.5m mixed-use residential development in Solihull

Construction works have started to create a new neighbourhood centre and residential apartments at Blythe Valley Park in Solihull. Led by Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson, the works will involve the construction of four new mixed-use high quality apartment buildings at Blythe Valley Park – as part of client IM Properties’ strategic vision to create a sustainable, mixed-use community in this area of the West Midlands where people can live and work. Blythe Valley Park is a 1.2 million sq. ft development, surrounded by 122 acres of scenic parkland, and the addition of the neighbourhood centre will create a new focal point and seamlessly connect the growing residential and commercial community. The business park employs 3,500 people and is home to many leading businesses including a range of high-profile brands such as Gymshark, Lounge, Cooper Parry, Siemens and Zenith. The £7.5m development is expected to complete in spring 2021 and the new mixed-use buildings will feature 48 one and two-bedroom apartments, 25 per cent of which will be managed in partnership with Bromford Homes to offer affordable housing at the location. Two of the ground floor buildings will become modern retail spaces and will include an eatery and community convenience store, as well as a further retail unit, creating additional jobs in the area. There will also be level access to all four buildings, to accommodate disabled members of the community. Andy Sewards, managing director at G F Tomlinson said: “We’re thrilled to be working with IM Properties to create an integral new element of the sustainable, mixed-use scheme at Blythe Valley Park, which is delivering a significant number of new homes and jobs to boost the local economy.” “This is an exciting project to add to our residential portfolio and we’re looking forward to handing over in 2021.” Richard Knight, technical director of IM Properties strategic land division, IM Land said: “The new neighbourhood centre is a significant investment for IM Properties and will help further cement the strong community feel at Blythe Valley Park. We are very happy to have G F Tomlinson on board working with us to deliver this scheme.” Crest Homes and Bloor Homes have also been working on the residential phase since 2018 and continue to progress at the site, with the delivery of up to 750 new homes.

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