Approval for Jaguar Land Rover’s Honiley relocation

The application for current office space near Kenilworth to be changed to accommodate a specialist engineering complex was granted by planners on Tuesday.

But it comes with a request from councillors that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) includes improved cycle paths to ensure staff can access the site safely.

The space at Fen End will be home to around 300 staff in the company’s vehicle operations unit - a team of engineers who prepare one-off models and cars for global events and product launches - currently based at Gaydon and Whitley.

The move will include a new workshop block, parking and storage areas for ‘work in progress’ vehicles.

Sukhi Clark, JLR development manager said: “While small in number, the vehicle operations team is a major part of our business, focussed on preparing and refining vehicles for global events and product launches and helping customers around the world fall in love with our cars. “We’re pleased to get the go-ahead to develop Fen End with their needs in mind.

“The first step will see us improve access to site, helping to reduce traffic on local roads. The building plans also include sensitive landscaping and environmental management proposals, to ensure that the new facility fits in with its local surroundings.”

New jobs are expected to be created as part of the construction project and when the development is in operation.

Just four objections were lodged against the plan with residents fearing the impact on traffic, noise, and loss of greenery and wildlife.

After concerns were raised over access, Warwick District Council’s planning committee requested that cycleways be included for staff.

JLR, which bought the 200-acre site last September, now uses the space for offices, but chose to redesign the space to make use of the former runway as a test track.