Planning bosses urged to find alternative sites for electric battery gigafactory

A group opposing plans for an electric car battery plant which would see the closure of Coventry Airport is urging planners to consider alternative sites.

Proposals for the “gigafactory” at Coventry Airport have been submitted and will be considered tomorrow (January 11).

Losing the site would cause “irreparable damage” to businesses who use it, The Save Coventry Airport group said.

It said hundreds of objections have been lodged against the plans.

Joshua Mason-Allen, from The Save Coventry Airport group, told BBC News: “When you look at the plans the applicants have submitted, there are alternative sites within the region, so still protecting those jobs, where this site could be built.”

The plans have been put forward by Coventry Airport Ltd and Coventry City Council which say the factory will create up to 6,000 jobs.

The outline proposals are to be considered by Warwick District Council’s planning committee on January 11 and are recommended for approval.