A BROMSGROVE engineering firm is planning to sell part of its site to help boost its planned business growth.

UEF Automotive, which is known locally as Garringtons, hopes that selling the piece of land in Aston Fields for a major housing development will generate the finance it needs for investment to support its modernisation programme.

The company, which manufactures a wide range of automotive components and has a 580-strong workforce in Bromsgrove, occupies a 51-acre site, which includes some open land.

It plans to sell 15 acres of surplus land at its Newton Road base for new homes.

The move is expected to generate funds which will make the company competitive in the world automotive component market, helping to secure contracts and jobs.

The J100 forge and workforce on the land will move to new and upgraded facilities on the remaining UEF site. Day and night staff were officially told of the move on Monday.

"We're an international company, operating in an extremely competitive market, and this proposal will enable us to invest in and develop our facility in Bromsgrove and compete more effectively for contracts which will help to grow our business and secure local jobs," said chief executive Bob Bates.

"During 1999, and in the face of stiff European competition, UEF Bromsgrove secured a major long-term contract to supply forgings to RVI, France's premier commercial vehicle manufacturer."

Property consultants King Sturge have now submitted an application to Bromsgrove District Council for outline planning permission for up to 200 homes.

The land in question is bordered by an allotment, a former MEB site, and disused railway sidings.

UEF has been advised that in time these three sites could themselves be converted into a larger housing development.