NEW PLANS FOR OLD JAG SITE

THE former Browns Lane Jaguar site is to be renamed Lyons Park and turned into a high-tech business and industrial park.
The development is named after Sir William Lyons, founder of the Swallow Sidecar Company, which evolved into Jaguar Cars after the Second World War.
Developers Goodman, who bought the site in 2007 and Advantage West Midlands, have put the plans together.
Plans for the 39 hectare site include 800,000 sq ft of space for industrial and distribution use, 75,000 sq ft of office space and 172 homes.
Graham Pardoe, Goodman’s development director for UK Logistics, said: “Coventry has a long and proud legacy as a city of innovation, industry and technology.
“Lyons Park will provide the opportunity for organic growth of this heritage, offering the opportunity for small to medium businesses as well as national companies to locate to a first class development.
“In re-branding the site we were determined to create a new identity while recognising the site’s heritage. We feel that Lyons Park is a fitting name which gives the development a strong identity.”
Steve Holland, head of asset management at AWM, added: “The planning permission for the development of Lyons Park marks another important milestone in the regeneration and redevelopment of Coventry.
“Alongside other major projects such as Ansty Park, Lyons Park will play an important part in strengthening the city’s contribution to the West Midland’s economy by attracting manufacturing companies to the region and creating more jobs for local people.”
Consultations with Coventry City Council have been held and work on the site’s infrastructure is expected to be finished by April 2010.
Jaguar Land Rover director Julian Hetherington said: “It is excellent news that the plans to redevelop the former Jaguar site at Browns Lane in Coventry have been approved and we are of course delighted that Sir William Lyons’ achievements are remembered with the choice of name for the development.”