Consultants propose amendments to JLR’s latest expansion

PLANNING consultants are seeking permission for a number of amendments to a scheme which forms part of Jaguar Land Rover’s latest expansion in the West Midlands.

The vehicle manufacturer is set to create around 50 jobs with the extension of a massive warehousing unit – DC4 – at Prologis Park in Minworth, near Sutton Coldfield.

Commercial property firm Prologis last year submitted plans for a 164,000 sq ft extension to the existing 312,000 sq ft unit at the Midpoint Way site.

It is thought the manufacturer will use the facility to store parts for its vehicles.

Applicant Buckingham Group Contracting has now submitted plans to Birmingham City Council for a series of minor changes to the original design.

These propose the creation of an HGV exit slip road onto Estate Road, the installation of an additional CCTV pole, automated sliding gates, the erection and realignment of palisade fencing and gates and new footpath access to a sub-station.

JLR had been searching for a major facility close to its existing manufacturing plants at Castle Bromwich and Solihull for some time.

Details first emerged in October 2013, when it was reported that the company had settled on the DC4 unit, but with the 164,000 sq ft extension.

The extension had originally been anticipated as a standalone facility, however, rather than build the separate unit, Prologis applied for permission to extend the existing DC4 building to create a massive 470,000 sq ft storage facility.

The application included a gatehouse with associated service yard, access, parking, drainage and landscaping infrastructure and works.