WHY J3?

Shropshire’s economy needs to generate new, high skilled sustainable jobs for the future and needs over 25,000 new homes to address the current shortage. Furthermore, Shropshire Council needs new sources of income to allow it to invest in the county and continue to provide vital services.  J3 will:

  • Create a nationally significant, economic-led community, sustained by the local high quality environment and a location of unrivalled accessibility in Shropshire.
  • Deliver 1.9m sqft of new workspace and educational facilities in a strategic scale premier employment site, anchored by a future looking enterprise and skills hub, to nurture Shropshire success.
  • Bring up to 7,000 new permanent skilled jobs at J3 itself, 8,000 in total in the wider area and around 170 construction jobs per annum over the next 25 – 30 years
  • Help plug Shropshire’s 25,000 home housing deficit by delivering up to 3,000 new homes which address affordability and cater for every stage of life
  • Provide a £390 million boost to the local economy per year
  • Generate over £140 million of fiscal revenues to Shropshire County Council over the next 25-30 and £8 million annually thereafter
  • Put an emphasis on sensitive design that reflects the local vernacular and is delivered using sustainable building techniques and principles and a focus on high environmental quality that contributes positively to a low carbon future.

Shropshire’s Economic Growth Strategy recognises that bringing businesses and inward economic investment to Shropshire rests on the provision of quality employment space, tailored to modern business needs. With Jaguar Land Rover down the road; RAF Cosford’s expansion to meet the needs of the Navy, Army and RAF engineering training; alongside the great work that the nationally renowned RAF Museum does for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) apprenticeships – J3 on the M54 is the gateway to Shropshire’s future economic success.

We have spoken to residents in communities throughout the area who have told us that the county also has an ageing population with many of its younger residents failing to return home after university. Research indicates that this is for two main reasons: the lack of jobs and the lack of affordable homes.

Shropshire Council is looking at ways of attracting new businesses to the area. Agritec jobs are being encouraged through the work of Harper Adams University but there are other industrial and commercial opportunities opening locally. A report has been commissioned to explore the commercial and industrial opportunities along the M54 corridor and land at J3 has been identified as a possible location for a new technology employment hub.

The Council is also reviewing its Local Plan with a view to allocating land for its future housing and employment needs. This has to be carried out in consultation with other local authorities in the region, taking into account their wider planning needs and considering the feasibility of including three thousand homes as part of the J3 site.

Homes that will pay for infrastructure and investment in key local services, such as schools and health, and help create a more balanced, thriving and sustainable new community.