VIDEO: JLR expansion could bring thousands of new jobs

The international car giant (JLR) will now consult on plans to double the size of its research and development plant at Whitley - which would mean building on green belt land in the Warwick district.

The company is said to be planning to invest more than £500million in alongside the massive expansion at Whitley, which lies on the edge of the Warwick district.

It will mean development of a 60-acre site south of the A45, known as Whitley South which would be linked to existing offices by a new bridge over the A45.

As well as expanding the current JLR facilities in the area, the new ‘campus development’ would also see half the site used by the company’s immediate suppliers.

Warwick District Council and Coventry City Council are now awaiting the submission of a planning application for the development when more details will be made known.

These proposals will need to be considered and approved by Warwick District Council’s planning committee in terms of the economic benefits they could bring to the region against any potential loss of green belt land.

JLR is proposing that 30 acres of open woodland and walks is created between Lunt Roman Fort in Baginton and the new campus.

Cllr Andrew Mobbs, leader of Warwick District council, said: “We are delighted that JLR is planning to make such a huge investment and commitment to our district.

“However, any planning application submitted to us needs to follow a strict planning process. We await the decision, which will be made over the next few months.”

JLR and the city council will hold a public consultation from January 21 to 23.

The announcement comes after months of detailed negotiations between the city council, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and JLR. The LEP has put in a bid for a £40 million Government grant to build the infrastructure for the expansion.

Coventry City Council has produced a video showing how the multi-million pound expansion could look.