A PLAN to build three new industrial units at Worcester Six Business Park has taken the next step to becoming reality after it was given the seal of approval by council planners.

Stoford Developments Ltd and Spetchley Development’s plan to open three new units on land off Pershore Lane in Tibberton to the east of the M5, was backed by planners at Wychavon District Council in September last year.

The plan went back before council planners last week (February 6) looking for approval for the building’s design and layout of the site.

Two new units will be occupied by material testing machine makers ZwickRoell with a final unit to be filled by a yet-to-be revealed business.

A three-storey office block and a separate assembly building would be built for ZwickRoell on the site.

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.

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

Potential businesses that could move into the vacant unit have not yet been revealed.

Edward Peel, development manager at Stoford, said last year that work would start in April with an anticipated completion date of March 2021.

A statement included with the application said: “ZwickRoell is the world leader in static materials testing and the leading provider in dynamic materials testing and fatigue testing.

“The company is synonymous with innovation, quality and reliability.

“Worldwide, ZwickRoell have an average of 70 apprentices and the it is anticipated that one new apprentice position we be created at Worcester Six.

“ZwickRoell also works with local schools, and there are opportunities for this to be extended within Worcestershire.

“Where this has been deployed elsewhere, the partnership has supported company tours, research, internships for students, and material support for technology lessons.”