All roads lead to Browns Lane
A mile of new roads has been developed at the former Jaguar site at Browns Lane in Coventry. It forms part of the multimillion-pound infrastructure contract being undertaken at the 70-acre site by Advantage West Midlands and property group Goodman.
The roads were built as part of an intensive 26-week programme of "remediation, plot formation and infrastructure work" by Goodman.
AWM acquired part of the car plant site in December 2008 and Goodman negotiated with Coventry City Council to develop the site into an office, light manufacturing and distribution scheme together with 174 residential units, including affordable housing.
The site has full planning permission and has been renamed Lyons Park "in recognition" of the heritage of the site and its founder Sir William Lyons, who started the Swallow Sidecar Company that eventually evolved into Jaguar cars.
Mick Laverty, chief executive at Advantage West Midlands, said: “The agency first intervened at Browns Lane as a result of a tough economic climate. The commercial property market was unable at the time to instigate the infrastructure works required to open up the site without additional outside investment.
“The combined expertise of AWM and Goodman has transformed 70 acres of brownfield land and created the right environment to attract businesses. It has the potential to create more 2,500 high value jobs and bring forward 60,000 sq m (646,000 sq ft) of quality office space.”
Graham Pardoe, development director at Goodman, said: “The completion of the infrastructure work represents the next stage of the on-going strategy to develop the site. We will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure Lyons Park plays a key role in the wider regeneration of Coventry.”
