Fresh expansion by Jaguar Land Rover will see new Powertrain facilities
VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is set for further expansion of its production facilities after it revealed plans for a new Powertrain Development Facility at its Whitley base, near Coventry.
The company has said the 30,000m² facilities were badly needed to ensure the production operation kept pace with the breadth of its ambitions.
Details of the multi-million pound plan, submitted to Coventry City Council, have been included in a new planning and design statement by Ridge & Partners.
The report states: “The existing facilities for powertrain development are uncompetitive and in a poor state of repair, and are hampering Jaguar Land Rover’s ability to effectively deliver the increased model range which the company produces.”
The proposals, which complement ongoing expansion at Castle Bromwich and the start of work on the company’s new plant on Slovakia, have been developed through extensive consultation with Jaguar Land Rover’s numerous stakeholders.
Ridge said the design of the building’s facade was intended to reflect the technical aspect of the engineering and functionality required around the test cells.
The new facility will enable specialised testing facilities for powertrain development by providing a total of 64 test cells of varying type and capability. These are 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 up to 350 engineers will work within this space, which occupies the ground floor level of the facility.
The ground floor accommodation includes space for a central storage area, a vehicle preparation workshop with 10 bays and vehicle ramps and, a component test area, test preparation and storage spaces, goods in and the necessary welfare space to support the staff.
The majority of the lower ground level comprises test vehicle storage areas but there are also additional staff amenity areas including changing and locker rooms conveniently located along the entrance circulation route which provides access between the staff car park and the vertical circulation that leads up to the ground and first floor levels of the building.
On the first floor there will be high quality office space providing desks for 400 staff and associated ancillary spaces has been incorporated including a designated visitor route. A landscaped external amenity space and approach to the building has been developed to create an all-round, aesthetically pleasing environment for Jaguar Land Rover staff to work in.
“The target is therefore to create a world class research and development facility and associated office workplace within a highly sustainable building that is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating,” added Ridge.
