PLANS for a giant warehouse on the former Jaguar site are set to get the go-ahead from Coventry council planners, despite concerns about traffic, flooding and harm to the countryside.
The site is bounded to the south by open Greenbelt countryside which forms part of the Coundon Wedge.
Goodman Real Estate is seeking planning permission for a 40,000 square metre storage and distribution warehouse at the southern end of the former Jaguar Browns Lane site, where classic Jags once rolled off the production line.
Some small light manufacturing is being returned to the huge site, which has for a decade also been earmarked for employment use, including warehousing with housing.
Goodman’s full planning application is also for a huge staff 700-space car park and separate parking area for 127 lorries, and some offices.
The application is for 12.75 hectares of the site in total, at plots 1,2,3 and 4.
More than 100 objections from residents have already been lodged with the council.
Objections were also heard from some members of the public at a meeting with Bablake ward councillors last week.
Yet planning officers will on Thursday recommend councillors on the planning committee grant approval for the scheme.
Access to the site is from Coundon Wedge Drive with an access road to service the whole site, now called Lyons Park.
Developers would pay £50,000 towards the proposed flood risk management scheme in Allesley.
Planning officers say the scheme could create 1650 jobs and would not ‘adversely impact upon highway safety’ or ‘upon the amenity of neighbours’.
Their report to councillors also claims the application presents no flood risk at the site, which they say is on higher ground.
The River Sherbourne runs through the adjacent open countryside.
A planning application was refused in 2011 for a new storage and distribution warehouse with new access, when councillors prioritised higher skilled manufacturing and other employment use.
Keresley Parish Council has objected to the proposal on grounds of light pollution, noise pollution and traffic safety.
Councillor Jaswant Birdi (Conservative, Bablake) has also objected, stating the proposal would affect ‘many residents’ and ‘will affect their lives in terms of noise, flooding, traffic and size of buildings’.
Some residents also fear disturbance from diverted traffic through Coundon Green and Allesley Village.
Objections, according to the council officers’ report, include that: “The proposal is not viable without a major relief road between A45 and M6 and upgrading Holyhead Road/Allesley Old Road to dual carriageway.”
And: “The proposal will cause chaos on the Allesley Island, Birmingham Road, Holyhead Road and Allesley Old Road. All of which are at saturation point already at peak times.”
