1,600 jobs to be created in Coventry as Amazon to move into old Jaguar site

A warehouse the size of eight football pitches will be built on Coventry’s former Jaguar site after planning chiefs gave the green light.

More than 1,600 jobs will be created at the 40,000sqm warehouse – which will be home to online retailer Amazon – at the site off Browns Lane.

Around 150 objections were lodged by angry residents citing issues including noise, pollution and congestion as the plant could welcome lorries 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, Coventry City Council’s planning committee voted in favour of the plans, which developers say could be up and running in less than a year.

The public gallery at the council house was packed to the rafters for the emotion-filled meeting which lasted for around two hours. There were shouts of “shame on you” after committee members granted the plans by six votes to three.

Speaking before the vote, Paul Liggins, a resident and member of the Allesley and Coundon Conservation Society, told the planning committee:

Speculation over who would be based at the warehouse has been rife ever since the plans were first revealed. Although council bosses and Amazon remain tight-lipped, the Telegraph understands from sources that the online retailer is the intended user.

The site will be the height of three double decker buses and include space for 127 lorries, offices and parking for 700 cars, 36 motorcycles and 64 bicycles.

Coun Glenn Williams, who represents Bablake ward, challenged the number of jobs that the application will create, stating he believes the real number may be half of the 1,600 estimated.

Giving his support for the plans, Coun Jim O’Boyle, the city council’s cabinet member for jobs, stated the jobs would not include zero hour contracts and he has been “guaranteed that every employee will be able to have an apprenticeship if they want it”.

He added: “By granting these plans you give nearly 2,000 young people a job in the city.

“I believe this is one of the most important planning applications that has come before this committee in the last ten years. We are giving 1,650 people in this city a job. It represents an investment in our city and will be a catalyst for future investment.”