Jaguar Land Rover set for further expansion with new powertrain development

VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is set for further expansion of its production facilities with councillors poised to give permission of a new Powertrain Development Facility at its Whitley base, near Coventry.

The application proposes the comprehensive development of land to the south of the existing Jaguar Land Rover global headquarters. This will comprise removal of an existing modular Powertrain building and the erection of a new Powertrain Development Facility including design, engineering and vehicle testing space with vehicle test areas/test bays, vehicle preparation spaces and support functions together with associated plant, equipment and basement car parking, office and associated staff services.

The development facility will have a floor area of approximately 60,000m² and there will be approximately 750 staff employed throughout the site.

A design and access statement in support of the proposals indicates that the primary function of the development centre is to provide 64 test cells of varying functions and capabilities. These will be arranged in a series of wings connected by a central spine that accommodates the associated engineering spaces needed to support the preparation and functionality of the test cells.

It is intended that 350 engineers will work within the space on the ground floor. The ground floor accommodation will also provide a vehicle preparation workshop with 10 bays and vehicle ramps, a component test area, test preparation and storage spaces, goods in and ancillary staff welfare space.

At lower ground level there will be test vehicle storage areas, additional staff amenities including changing and locker rooms.

The first floor will comprise office space for 400 staff, a designated visitor route and landscaped external amenity space.

The main entrances to the building will be to the north and south of the spine with the north entrance being for visitors and JLR staff from other Whitley facilities and the south being adjacent to the staff car park.

The existing 957 car park spaces on this part of the site will be replaced with 1,004 spaces with two new car parks alongside the new Powertrain Development Facility and parking around the new substation, giving an overall increase of 47 spaces.

A new visitors/welcome centre is proposed with a total floor space of 1,643m² and will include staff services/amenities with reception, viewing gallery, six classrooms, toilets, restaurant and associated kitchen and will be across two floors. The design and access statement indicates that the building will be a transparent ‘pavilion’ in line with large glazed areas.

A fuel farm building, with a total floor space of 1,554m², is proposed to the south-west of the Powertrain building. This will include access, exits and turning facilities for HGVs.

An electricity substation is proposed to the east of the spine, comprising six separate units with a total floor space of 120m², with associated hard surfacing, landscaping, fencing, CCTV and lighting.

An existing Mileage Accumulation Facility (MAF) containing eight vehicle bays, a central courtyard and control room area will be partially demolished and extended to the south-east of the building to provide an additional five test bays and five relocated bays with associated facilities, control room and vehicle movement and inspection spaces.

The majority of the development is within the existing Whitley Business Park around the existing Jaguar Land Rover buildings.

A report to Coventry City Council’s planning committee on Thursday (January 19) states: “There is a compelling case for the business and its future ambitions to be supported to enable it to grow in a sustainable manner and deliver significant economic benefits to the city, the sub-region of Coventry and Warwickshire, the wider West Midlands and the UK.”

It adds there is further evidence that JLR “is continuing to experience an increased demand for its products in the UK and from around the world. There is a requirement for the company to progress and improve the development of its products and technological innovations in order to enhance competiveness, meet legislative needs and improve its worldwide market position”.

The report concludes: “The proposals will enable the expansion of a major employer within the city to expand their international headquarters and facilitate widespread economic benefits. The element of the proposal falling within the Green Belt is considered to be justified by very special circumstances and the development is appropriately mitigated.

“The proposals are not considered to have a detrimental impact on highway safety, visual amenities or be harmful to the environment and ecology and the application is recommended for approval.”