Unexploded Second World War bombs place gigafactory on hold

Plans for a new gigafactory at Coventry airport have been put on hold due to unexploded Second World War bombs.

A ‘Detailed Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Threat and Risk Assessment’ has been completed which has recommended any plans be put on hold until safety measures are complete.

The site was used as a fighter station during the Second World War, known as RAF Baginton. It was targeted heavily by the Luftwaffe in 1940.

Some bombs did not explode on the site and large areas remain untouched, resulting in a high/medium in the unexploded ordinance risk rating.

This means the site “requires further action to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP)”.

When operational, the controversial West Midlands Gigafactory will create around 6,000 jobs directly, deliver £434m in GVA per year to the West Midlands economy, alongside a £2.5bn investment.

261 objections were made directly to Warwick District Council and 64 to Coventry, before the scheme received planning permission. Save Coventry Airport group said losing Coventry Airport would cause “irreparable damage” to businesses who use it.

A spokesperson for the West Midlands Gigafactory said: “A Detailed Unexploded Ordnance Threat and Risk Assessment is standard practice for many construction projects and is a precautionary measure given the prevalence of bombings across the country and Coventry in particular during World War II.

“There’s no formal obligation that requires a UXO risk assessment to be undertaken.

“The survey was desk based and suggests a number of standard precautionary measures ahead of work on site. This is routine in a city like Coventry. It does not have any impact on planning permission secured for the site earlier in the year and will not hold up any works onsite.”

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