New road enhances former Browns Lane site
THE redevelopment potential of Jaguar’s former Browns Lane plant in Coventry has been enhanced with the official completion of a new multi-million pound road through the site.
The massive infrastructure was completed by construction firm Goodman following the award of a contract by Advantage West Midlands.
About a mile of new road now cuts through the 70-acre site, built as part of an intensive 26-week programme of remediation, plot formation and infrastructure work by Goodman.
AWM, which acquired part of the car plant site in December 2008, and Goodman negotiated with Coventry City Council to develop the site into an office, light manufacturing and distribution scheme together with 174 residential units, including affordable housing.
The site, below, has full planning permission and has been renamed Lyons Park in recognition of the heritage of the site and its founder Sir William Lyons, who started the Swallow Sidecar Company that eventually evolved into Jaguar cars.
Mick Laverty, AWM chief executive, said: “The agency first intervened at Browns Lane as a result of a tough economic climate. The commercial property market was unable at the time to instigate the infrastructure works required to open up the site without additional outside investment.
“The combined expertise of AWM and Goodman has transformed 70 acres of brownfield land and created the right environment to attract businesses. It has the potential to create more than 2,500 high value jobs and bring forward 60,000 sq m of quality office space.”
Graham Pardoe, Development Director at Goodman, said: “The completion of the infrastructure work represents the next stage of the on-going strategy to develop the site. We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure Lyons Park plays a key role in the wider regeneration of Coventry.”
Martin Yardley, Director of City Services and Development at Coventry City Council, said he was excited by the development potential of the site and was hopeful of attracting a mix of residential and employment opportunities.
“As we emerge out of these tough economic times, investors will be looking for sites just like this – that’s why it was so important that we completed the remedial work to ensure it is ready for the upturn.
“It already has outline planning permission so it is a very attractive site and one that we think there will be a lot of interest in,” he said.
