New images as JLR plant set for approval

This striking new image of Jaguar's £355 million Jaguar Land Rover engine plant was revealed today, as it emerged the scheme is set to get the green light.

New images and details about the factory were released today as it was revealed that planning chiefs are recommending the scheme for approval next week.

Click on the image on the right to see more pictures.

Today it also emerged that the number of car parking spaces had been reduced by 120 in response to residents' concerns.

There will still be space for 908 drivers to park at the 800,000 sq ft factory, where 750 jobs will be created, but bosses have made the reduction in response to concerns about a "sea of car park" that would be seen by pedestrians using the public footpaths.

The project, which was first unveiled in September, also involves major work to the nearby road network.

Wolverhampton and Staffordshire County councils are to share the cost of £36.7m of work to provide access from the M54 motorway.

Wolverhampton will also pay for a £3m revamp of the Vine traffic island on the A449 Stafford Road.

JLR's neighbours will be aerospace firm Moog and laboratory company Eurofins.

Jaguar Land Rover has seen its trade soar recently as a result of demand for its luxury cars from the emerging economies of China and India.

Related stories:

• Sales joy and 600 new jobs for Jaguar Land Rover

• Jaguar Land Rover in £1.8m scheme to boost public transport

• Thumbs up for design of £355m Jaguar Land Rover factory