GreenPower Park moves closer to becoming one of the UK’s largest battery manufacturing opportunities
Works have begun at GreenPower Park, marking a major milestone in the transformation of the former Coventry Airport into one of the UK’s largest battery manufacturing and advanced industrial destinations. The 308-acre site forms a key part of the Coventry & Warwick Investment Zone, strengthening the West Midlands’ position as a global hub for electrification, advanced manufacturing and clean energy.
With planning permission already secured for up to 5.7 million sq ft of industrial space, GreenPower Park offers investors some of the largest consented footprints currently available in the UK. Backed by £23 million from Mayor Richard Parker and the West Midlands Combined Authority’s regional flagship Investment Zone programme, infrastructure works are now underway to accelerate the delivery of new industrial space for future occupiers.
Following the closure of the airport in June, we are now moving at pace to get the site ready for occupation.
Planning permissions are secured, and we are poised to plug into the National Grid. This will allow us to potentially deliver a new manufacturing facility within 18 months of an occupier signing.
In addition, we have put together a package of financial incentives – with support from WMCA and government – to help attract investors and ensure it’s a smooth and simple process from first meeting to occupation.
– Mike Murray, Project Director, GreenPower Park
With planning consent already secured and a package of financial incentives available to investors, GreenPower Park is designed to accelerate delivery for businesses looking to establish large-scale manufacturing operations in the UK.
A flagship opportunity within the Coventry & Warwick Investment Zone
GreenPower Park is one of the flagship sites within the Coventry & Warwick Investment Zone, which is helping position the West Midlands as a global destination for electrification, battery technology and future mobility.
The Investment Zone brings together world-leading assets including the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, WMG at the University of Warwick, HORIBA MIRA, and a globally recognised automotive supply chain, creating an ecosystem where businesses can develop, test and commercialise next-generation technologies.
Getting spades in the ground at GreenPower Park is a significant milestone in our plan to put this region at the cutting edge of global battery manufacturing and innovation.
It also moves us a step closer to thousands more good-quality jobs in one of our fastest-growing sectors. Using our Investment Zone funding to prepare this site is what’s driving strong interest from international investors who share our ambition and want to do business here.
– Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands
Together, these assets provide investors with access to specialist research facilities, highly skilled talent, innovation support and supply chain partners, alongside incentives designed to accelerate investment and business growth at GreenPower Park.
There is no doubt that the future is battery-driven, so to see work start on-site is really encouraging. We are the only location in the UK that is ready to go right now, with planning permission in place, a package of investor support and the all-important grid connection.
The UK needs to compete on a world stage or risk being left behind – and this site enables us to do just that.
– Cllr Lynnette Kelly, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, Coventry City Council
With infrastructure now being delivered at GreenPower Park, the West Midlands continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK’s leading destinations for advanced manufacturing and battery investment.