Former Perry Barr Container base to be massive car auction site

Dec 24 2009 by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

THE transformation of an eyesore Birmingham container depot looks set to create 260 jobs.

British Car Auctions has been given the go ahead to turn the former P&O industrial depot in Perry Barr into a large space for up to 2,500 vehicles – more than half of those for sale.

A part of the site has been used by a smaller car auction firm since the container depot closed in 2007.

Birmingham City Council has now approved major expansion plans.

Existing buildings will be renovated as auction and viewing areas.

The proposal include a cafe, reception, car cleaning, maintenance bays and offices and facilities for the firm’s sister company United Fleet Distribution.

Local councillor Keith Linnecor, who is a member of the city’s planning committee, said: “It is great to see this huge investment on this site and I hope that the majority of jobs will go to people in the immediate area.”

The container base was known as an eyesore with stacks of grubby metal boxes piled high and easily visible from the M6.

It also caused a headache for local road users with scores of articulated lorries moving in and out each day.

Coun Bob Beauchamp (Cons, Erdington) said: “This is one of the most welcome developments and a suitable for this site.

“The container base was a blight on local roads and residents and it was never easy for the lorries to get in and out of.”