Insider Media Limited

MIRA - the advanced engineering, research and testing facility located near Nuneaton, will today unveil plans to develop its 850-acre site. The proposed £300m expansion could become the most advanced transport technology facility in Europe and create more than 2,000 jobs over a ten-year period. George Gillespie, chief executive of MIRA, told Insider the company was already holding talks with interested parties to move to the site, and would submit final planning proposals by the end of March.

The technology park would comprise contemporary buildings of between two and four stories and its focal point would be 43,000 sq m (463,000 sq ft) within a 155,000 sq m (1.6 million sq ft) R&D facility, equipped with advanced engineering workshops, incorporating a new technology park.

MIRA said part of the development will replace inefficient existing buildings dating back to the 1950s.

Gillespie told Insider: “What we’re looking at offering here is big opportunity for Asian-based OEMs to establish ready-made European tech centres. We can offer them a low-risk, fast-start facility using the expertise we already have on site.

“We’re already in discussions with several interested parties, and we’re confident we can attract significant inward investment to the area. We’re currently in discussions to raise the finance for the expansion and we’ll be ready to submit planning proposals in March.”

Commercial director of MIRA Technology Park Terry Spall said: “MIRA has seen continued growth over the past three years and 2010 was a record year with turnover up 30 per cent to £37m. However, we are rapidly outgrowing our existing facilities and this development is crucial to providing the business with the capacity to match its capability over the next 30 years and beyond.

“This long-term vision means that sustainability is at the heart of the development. We have incorporated the latest low carbon building design and construction techniques - including a pallet of materials that are natural, locally sourced and recycled - into our plans. We also intend to use renewable energy sources and extensive landscaping, including lakes and cycle paths, to enhance the ecology of our site.”

MIRA’s plans also include amenities to cater for the companies and workers that will occupy the new development. These include a hotel and retail facilities as well as provision for sport and leisure - such as football pitches and tennis courts - which will be accessible to local community clubs.

Development work could begin in early 2012 with the replacement of existing buildings and infrastructure taking place in phases over the next decade.