BMW application for Cowley Mini plant changes approved

Car manufacturer BMW has been given the green light to make changes at its Mini plant.

Oxford City Council has approved a planning application submitted by the BMW Group for its plant in Cowley.

It follows BMW's announcement that it will invest £600m to boost electric car production at the facility near Oxford.

The application includes plans to demolish two buildings, extend another two and create a lorry parking area.

The Cowley plant employs more than 3,400 employees and apprentices, who together build up to 1,000 Mini cars a day.

The German car giant previously said the proposed development would "secure operational resilience in an evolving market, futureproof the plant's success and safeguard current employment levels".

"Major investment at the Mini plant also demonstrates BMW's commitment to Oxford and the wider region," it added.

After demolishing two of its building, the car manufacturer plans to extend its integrated logistics centre and another logistics building on site.

As well as building a new lorry parking area, the council has approved plans for the expansion of an external waste storage area, realignment of an internal road and installation of associated landscaping.

The authority's planning officer said: "As an additional benefit, BMW had agreed to make improvements to several access points to the site in order to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists."

A statement following the planning meeting said: "The application represented an investment in the Oxford site which would offer benefits to the local economy as well as employment opportunities, securing the future of car manufacturing in Oxford.

"The proposal also offered a sustainable future for car manufacturing through the production of electric vehicles, which was welcomed."

The £600m investment will help facilitate the production of two new electric Mini models such as the electric Mini Cooper 3-door and the electric Mini Aceman due to begin at the Cowley plant in 2026.

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