CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new Logistics Operations Centre (LOC) at Jaguar Land Rover have been approved by Solihull Council.
Planning committee members discussed proposals that were put forward to build a warehouse for parts to be delivered to the Lode Lane plant and for them to be stored at a meeting last Wednesday evening (May 17).
The application will now go to the National Case Work Unit – a Government body – which will review the application before it is signed off and approved.
According to JLR this is standard procedure when developments are set to be built on the Greenbelt.
Documents released ahead of the meeting stated there were 109 objections to the plans and claimed it should not be given the green light from Solihull Planning chiefs as the area of Greenbelt land is of strategic importance to Elmdon Park, the structure is an ugly, huge, intrusive and depressing building and there would be increased congestion in the area.
However, the documents also reveal those in support of the plans stated the land of the proposed development is identified to be released from the Greenbelt as part of the Draft Local Plan, the company does not have space to implement an LOC of the scale required to keep its competitive edge in the world market and similar proposals have been granted planning permission on the basis of overriding economic importance and world class status of companies involved.
A JLR spokesperson said: “Jaguar Land Rover is seeking planning permission to develop a LOC at Solihull close to the manufacturing plant.
“The new facility is critical to the long term future of our UK manufacturing operations and ensuring Jaguar Land Rover continues to be competitive in a global marketplace.
“We have a long heritage at Solihull and pride ourselves in working closely with the local community.
“We will therefore endeavour to balance operational requirements with minimising the impact on the surrounding area.
“As part of the planning application process we have ensured an extensive public consultation has been carried out.
