PLANS for the next phase of the Worcester Six Business Park are moving forward after a global machine testing materials supplier moved in.

Planning permission has been submitted for three units at the business park, two of which will be occupied by ZwickRoell, a major supplier of static materials testing machines that is planning to move its UK headquarters from Leominster to the Worcester Six.

Plans submitted to Wychavon District Council are for a 19,849 sq ft office and 10,000 sq ft assembly building. ZwickRoell plans to relocate its office functions and intends to build the assembly unit at a future date.

ZwickRoell says its plans to expand its facilities in the UK to create a customer experience centre at Worcester Six and in the coming years, there will be further opportunities to create jobs and expand as a business furthermore.

Stoford has also submitted plans to the authority for unit 10C, which is situated directly behind the ZwickRoell unit and comprises 37,800 sq ft of flexible employment space.

Edward Peel, development manager at Stoford, said if planning permission were obtained in February next year, contractors would be on site to start the Zwick office development in April.

He said: “We’re pleased to have put forward plans for the next stage of development at Worcester Six, which is a world-class site in an area that has superb transport connections and a skilled work force,” he said.

“It is encouraging to see the continued development on site, where we have seen more than 700,000 sq ft of commercial space secured in the last three years. We look forward to welcoming yet another global tenant to the business park.

“Unit 10C is still available and subject to securing an occupier, we hope to be in a position to start on site quickly once we have achieved planning permission.”

Nigel Hudson, head of strategic infrastructure and economy at Worcestershire County Council said: “It is great to see ZwickRoell a world leading supplier of materials testing machines has chosen Worcester Six Business Park as their UK expansion.

"Worcester Six continues to prove itself as a world class business location for foreign direct investors in the county and we hope to welcome ZwickRoell as a new occupier in the coming months.“