Government gives green light to JLR’s £250m Whitley expansion
A DECISION by the Government not to call in plans by Jaguar Land Rover for a massive expansion of facilities at its Whitley head office has been welcomed by business chiefs and council leaders.
Local Government Secretary Greg Clark has backed an earlier decision by councils in Coventry and Warwickshire to support plans for the new development, which is a vital part of the Midlands Engine.
The £250m plan focuses on a huge expansion of the company’s research and development facilities with JLR taking part of the 60-acre site for a new campus development that adjoins its existing Whitley site.
The news cements Coventry and Warwickshire’s place as Jaguar Land Rover’s global headquarters and approval means work can now start on finalising the delivery of the road infrastructure, public transport links, green space and other improvements.
The decision means work could start on site late this year or early next year.
Jonathan Browning, chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This a hugely positive step and one that should now see major investment into the region and many new jobs with it. Jaguar Land Rover is a major success story for Coventry and Warwickshire and this news will see that continue long into the future.
“It’s yet another vote of confidence in this region as a place to do business and as a place where international companies want to invest for the long term. As a LEP, we are bidding for further investment into the infrastructure in and around that area and this latest development can only serve to bolster that bid.”
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Coventry’s cabinet member for business, enterprise and employment, said the decision underlined the city’s status as the heart of the UK automotive industry.
“It’s great news for the many talented and ambitious young people who live here and who can now aim for a job at Jaguar Land Rover. (It’s) also terrific for the many smaller firms in the area who already work with JLR and who will also benefit from their expansion,” he said.
“Now the real work begins to make sure the development is also a good neighbour – with plans to open up new areas of countryside and improvements to some of the busiest road junctions in the area.”
The LEP is bidding for a government grant of up to £40m to support the provision of the public roads and bridge across the A45 to link both sites. This follows on from and is in addition to, the £10m of government funding for road improvements around Whitley that led to the company announcing £300m expansion plans last year.
