A FIRM offering consultancy services to developers of large scale infrastructure and energy projects has set up its headquarters in Alvechurch.

Property agents John Truslove, acting on behalf of a private client, have let a detached 3,000 sq ft office building in Rectory Court, Alvechurch, on a five-year lease to Astwood Infrastructure (AI).

AI currently has a seven-strong team and is backed by specialist funder Earthworm Capital.

Investment director Mike Capewell said the business was looking to identify initiatives, both its own and others, evaluate them, and develop them to a point where, with cash injected, they could be brought to fruition.

Mr Capewell said: “I live just 10 minutes away from where we are now but that was by no means the whole reason for choosing Alvechurch as we did look at other sites including the centre of Birmingham.

“This was a lovely spot, offered good quality modern accommodation and was very competitive, especially compared to the city.

“We specialise in turning ideas into ready to build developments or scaling single site developments into a series of projects. It is about taking something from concept to shovel ready.

“We aim to be a one stop shop to the developer, providing technical advice – doing the scheme work – finding viable sites, submitting planning applications, establishing Grid connections and addressing environmental and other concerns.”

Schemes vary from commercial scale vertical greenhouses for the growing of crops through to solar farms and anaerobic digesters.

Mr Capewell said it was hoped to have up to 10 sites in the pipeline over the next two years and that some would be built in the Midlands.

Ben Truslove, a director of John Truslove, added “Astwood Infrastructure was keen to find an inspiring setting for itself, and Rectory Court fitted the bill.

“It is great to see such an exciting business, at the forefront of green technologies, establishing their HQ in the area. It will be interesting to see the various schemes in the pipeline coming to fruition.”

Mr Capewell, a Birmingham University graduate and Malvern College pupil, has been around six years in the sector and before that worked for Deloitte UK.