Plans for giant Coventry SEGRO logistics development

It is proposed to be built on land in Baginton.

A decision looms on whether a giant logistics development on the outskirts of Coventry is given the green light. The plan is for the new commercial buildings on land west of Firefly Road in Baginton.

SEGRO is behind the plans for the 420,000 sq ft logistics development, entitled SEGRO Park Whitley South project, on land north-east of Baginton village, with direct access to the A45 and A46. The proposed development comprises 12 units with associated ancillary offices. Units 1 to 7 are stand-alone units, units 8 and 9 are semi-detached and units 10to 12 are combined into one building, which is internally sub-divided.

Warwick District Council’s planning committee are being recommended to approve the proposal. But there is some opposition locally.

Some local councillors have aired their concerns and Baginton Parish Council says it objects to the plan, for a number of reasons, adding it is a’ ‘distinctive change’ to the previous Jaguar Land Rover scheme and ‘does not meet any of the very special circumstances required to justify removing land from the Green Belt’. But a report to the district council planning committee states the project would ‘boost the supply of employment floorspace within the district” and “provide opportunities for businesses to invest, expand and adapt and support jobs’.

The report explains: “While there are currently no end users identified for the proposed development, the scheme would provide a range of unit sizes that would offer diversity of choice to the market, enabling larger and smaller businesses to locate, or relocate, to the area.

“The applicant envisions that the smaller units could offer start-up space or expansion space for smaller businesses, whilst the larger units could similarly perform this function and would also be attractive to the wider market with the capacity to attract inward investment to the area. The proposal would therefore provide employment buildings at a variety of scales.

“The proposal also allows for some flexibility in the use, with the principal use being for logistics but with the opportunity for some manufacturing type uses. The site is within an accessible location and the provision of commercial warehouse units would help the district to capitalise on its central location and role as a key logistics hub, which is identified as a major competitive asset for the area.

“Moreover, the development aligns with the aspirations for the Coventry and Warwick Investment Zone in that it would provide opportunities for logistics and supply chain activities as part of the creation of a ‘Gigapark’ in this area of the district.”

Read more about SEGRO here: https://www.segro.com/