JLR expansion is "great testament" to the Warwickshire area as a place to do business

Jaguar Land Rover's major expansion of its site near Whitley on the borders of Warwickshire and Coventry has moved a step nearer with the granting of outline planning permission.

The 105-hectare development, to be built on land either side of the A45 between Festival and Tollbar islands, could generate up to 4,000 jobs for the region.

And the unanimous decision by Warwick District Council’s planning committee to grant outline permission for the scheme has been warmly welcomed by Jonathan Browning, chairman of Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

“This is extremely positive news for Coventry and Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands," Mr Browning said. “The expansion of Jaguar Land Rover’s research and development centre at Whitley will create new jobs and improved infrastructure."

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, believes that JLR's renewed commitment to the site is a real tribute to the area as a business-base.

“The fact that Jaguar Land Rover is continuing to expand and invest here is a great testament to everything the sub-region has to offer,” she said.

Under a condition of planning permission, JLR must commit to occupying 10,000 square metres of floor space, double the 5,000 originally suggested. The development also includes a new countryside park, a hotel and small shops alongside the new offices and research buildings.

JLR's global property developer Mike Crone believes the plans are exciting, both for the company and the region.

“JLR has expanded rapidly over the last five years and this expansion is set to continue," said Mr Crone. "Our current UK sites are at full capacity and we can’t continue this growth without new sites. This development will allow JLR to establish deep roots in the area.”