A REVAMP of Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant has been lodged, as the manufacturer gets ready for its future making electric vehicles.
Plans have been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council for the creation of a new warehouse at the Vauxhall Car Storage Site in West Road, which marks 60 years in manufacturing this year.
Artist's impressions of the proposals show the new warehouse, which will feature a number of offices and suitable car parking, will be emblazoned with the Stellantis logo, Vauxhall's parent company which now operates car brands such as Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, Peugeot, Opel and others.
An artist's impression of what the new development will look like at the Vauxhall Motors site. Source: Planning document.
It comes as the car giant has unveiled its 'Dare Forward 2030' ambition to slash its carbon emissions by half in the next eight years, while selling only battery electric vehicles in Europe.
Last year the future of Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant was secured thanks to a £100 million investment, which will see the factory become the first Stellantis site to produce a solely battery-electric van for Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot and Citroen brands.
The plant's workforce will make the Vauxhall Combo-e, the Peugeot e-Partner and the Citroen e-Berlingo, while production of the Vauxhall Astra family hatchback comes to an end.
The new development at the Ellesmere Port plant, applicants Stoford Properties Ltd and Vauxhall Motors Ltd say, "represents the latest major investment in the area to ensure the longevity of Hooton Park as a major employment site for the local area.
"The development will be occupied by Vauxhall Motors who already operate from the site but the new use allows for a purpose-built European facility for the distribution of their vehicle parts."
A new warehouse of 62,151 sq m will be created, including three storeys of integrated office accommodation, with the car manufacturer planning to go down one of two routes at this stage – have it built to include a warehouse and office site, or a site for industrial purposes.
The new building would have a "clean and modern aesthetic", with shifts in colour and texture "to avoid a monolithic appearance".
The applicants add the development would bring jobs through its construction and when in operation.
With regards to the nearby features of the former Hooton Park Airfield, to the south west of the proposed site, the applicants say the development will take "a fully sympathetic approach to the importance of the existing listed structures and their retained surroundings".
To do this, the new site levels "will be recessed into the existing slope, meaning the ground and building floor levels are lower than the Hotton Park Trust site, allowing the grading of the contours to preserve the associated air raid shelters".
The applicants concluded: "The proposed development represents the latest major investment in the area to ensure the longevity of Hooton Park as a major employment site for the local area.
"The development is intended to be occupied by Vauxhall Motors who are already operational in the area as a purpose-built facility for the production of automobiles for distribution across UK and European markets. Thus, maintaining Ellesmere Port's tradition in auto-manufacturing."
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