Council stands by technology park amid legal row

The Mira Technology Institute was set up to train automotive engineers

A council has stood by its backing for plans to expand a technology park, despite a legal threat.

The Mira Technology Park in Nuneaton is expected to create 2,500 jobs in advanced manufacturing and the automotive research industries, with expansion over four zones covering 200,000 square metres.

North Warwickshire's planning and development board approved plans after discussions over extra traffic on the A5 led to a compromise to install traffic lights at the A5 junction with Woodford Lane, and ban right turns in and out of Drayton Lane.

However, North Warwickshire Borough Council was served with a legal letter indicating its planning decision could face a judicial review.

The borough council's head of development, Jeff Brown, said: "That letter indicates there is, in their view, highway evidence to show that unreasonable restrictions will come as a consequence of the proposal at this particular junction.

"They are not changing their view. Members can take their own view on that judgement but the recommendation is certainly that our position does not change."

Plan 'fully supported'

Objector Mark Simpson from Extra Room Self Storage, in Fenny Drayton, argued the plan would lead to his customers having to reroute so far, it would affect his business. He offered land to bring forward different solutions.

Mira's development director Andy Macdonald addressed the board and noted that improvements had been "fully supported" by authorities including Warwickshire Police.

He argued data from Extra Room Self Storage lacked "detail and accuracy".

Warwickshire and Leicestershire county council highways teams backed Mira's plans, as did National Highways.

Councillor Margaret Bell said it was "a fantastic strategic opportunity for North Warwickshire", adding: "Different solutions for both Drayton Lane and Woodford Lane have been looked at by at least three highway authorities."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.