Property consultancy DTZ has been appointed to find a developer to bring 44 acres of derelict industrial land in the Black Country back to life.

Last autumn, joint owners the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Walsall Council announced that the project to regenerate Phoenix 10, in Darlaston, was back on track after stalling for several years.

DTZ has launched a market consultation exercise to gauge levels of interest in the site, close to junction ten of the M6, which it is hoped will house a major warehouse and distribution hub.

Two years ago the development, expected to create 4,000 jobs, stalled after a deal between the owners and private developer Parkhill Reclamation and Regeneration collapsed.

A key stumbling block in the past has been the huge cost of decontaminating the land on the former IMI James Bridge Copper Works which sits within the Black Country Enterprise Zone.

Jonathan Turner, director of development consulting at DTZ, said: "Bringing such a large area of land back into productive use will make a significant positive contribution to Walsall's employment land supply and make an important contribution to economic growth and employment in the borough while also enhancing the local environment.

"We look forward to working closely with the council and HCA to realise their vision for the site."