Planning application for huge Gigafactory in Coventry approved
Plans to start work on a huge battery factory at Coventry Airport have taken a step forward
Plans to start work on a huge battery factory at Coventry Airport have taken a step forward after the application was granted by Warwick District Council last night (9 December).
It happened during a planning meeting, with senior officers on the committee carrying the motion to recommend its construction.
The first phase of the ‘Greenpower Park’ development in Baginton would see demolition of existing buildings, new road links, a substation, and landscaping put in place.
The project is expected to create up to six thousand jobs, but there have been objections from local parish councils and residents worried about safety, traffic, and the loss of the airport.
Planning officers have recommended approval for these enabling works.
It comes just a week since the closure of Coventry Airport was announced.
Bosses notified the UK Civil Aviation Authority of its plans to cease operations on 11th June 2026.
An official spokesperson from the Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the airport’s decision, noting that the closure stems from the airport itself.
Read more: Coventry Airport plans permanent closure in 2026
In the concluding remarks of the planning committee, they said: "Outline planning permission has been approved for a battery manufacturing facility on the site and this application seeks consent for the reserved matters in connection with a series of enabling works that are to form the first phase of the development.
"The proposed works contained within this application are consistent with the parameters for the development that were established at outline stage.
"The details provided for the earthworks, strategic drainage features, primary substation and the main spine road are all considered acceptable.
"The strategic landscaping proposals are acceptable in principle, subject to consideration of the latest set of revised landscaping plans; an update will be provided to Members on this matter.
"The proposals are considered to be in accordance with the Warwick District Local Plan and the Baginton and Bubbenhall Neighbourhood Development Plan policies set out within this report, in so far as those policies relate to the scope of the enabling works. The application is therefore recommended for approval."
You can read the full planning document on the council's website.