The latest project Community Liaison Group (CLG) meeting provided updates on the proposed Development Consent Order (DCO) Non-Material Amendment (NMA), construction progress, planning activity and social value.

Non-Material Amendment

The project team provided an update on the proposed NMA to the DCO, which would change the occupational trigger for delivery of the Rail Freight Terminal (RFT) and Link Road from 47,000 sqm (6% of the site) to 150,000 sqm (20%).

The overall 186,000 sqm (25%) occupational cap would remain unchanged, with both the RFT and Link Road required to be completed before this cap can be exceeded. The delivery window would also reduce from six to five years following the trigger.

The proposed change is intended to address increased construction costs and challenging ground conditions, while helping unlock further occupier investment. The project is expected to reach the proposed 20% trigger by the end of 2028, with the RFT and Link Road targeted for operation by 2032.

The statutory consultation has now closed, with a decision from the Department for Transport expected in the first half of 2027. Questions were also raised by CLG members about the classification of the amendment as non-material.

Planning and construction

Updates were provided on a number of planning applications, including the A449 Stafford Road roundabout, ecology works, access roads, community parks, Spine Road North and Link Road West.

Construction is continuing across the site, including the Vicarage Road roundabout, Spine Road, A5 works and access roads. Plot 5030 is complete, with work on Plot 5010 expected to begin in October.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras are also being installed on A449 Stafford Road to monitor and enforce the HGV restriction through Penkridge.

Social value

More than £7 million in social value was generated between 2022 and 2025, supporting local employment, businesses, education and community initiatives.

This includes:

• Jobs (£2.4 million): 55 local full-time equivalent roles, including more than 10 for disadvantaged individuals, alongside 500+ weeks of apprenticeships and T-Level opportunities and 690+ hours of STEM education.
• Growth (£4.9 million): £4.81 million spent within 30 miles of WMI, including £2.8 million with local micro, small and medium-sized businesses.
• Community (£12,000): £65,000 allocated through the Community Fund within three miles, 440 hours of volunteering and £4,500 in direct donations to grassroots projects.

Planning is underway for the 2026/27 academic engagement programme, alongside reviewing community support requests and updating the project’s Local Needs Analysis to help inform future social value activity.

Next meeting

The next CLG meeting is expected to take place in winter 2026, with invitations to follow once a date is confirmed.

For more information, please contact the project team on contactus@communityrelations.co.uk or 0800 377 7345.