Jaguar Land Rover plans business park expansion

Car giant Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has submitted plans to expand its Wolverhampton site on the i54 Business Park.

The proposed development is part of the manufacturer's recent announcement to ramp up electric production and be "carbon net zero across supply chains, products and operations by 2039".

The Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre, near the M54, is described as a "key" site in application documents submitted to South Staffordshire Council.

The firm said the new space would surpass 6,000 sq m and support the manufacture of electric drive units and battery packs.

There would be some demolition work and external landscaping as part of the plans.

Construction work was already under way nearby for a new building and ancillary offices after planning consent was granted in 2019, the plans stated.

JLR said said in planning documents that to meet its all-electric goals, significant investment was required.

"As part of JLR's journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039, the company is transitioning to produce all-electric vehicles by 2030 as part of its Reimagine Strategy.

"This shift to electric vehicles within the manufacturing process has ultimately resulted in new requirements in terms of space and facilities.

"Significant investment is required to upgrade the existing facilities and meet the new space requirements."

In November JLR announced it had stopped selling new Jaguar cars in the UK ahead of a relaunch as an electric-only brand in 2026.

Its first car within the new brand will be a four-door GT built in Solihull, West Midlands.

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