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Plans for a multi-million pound JLR showroom in Wolverhampton are back on the table

Plans for a multi-million pound Jaguar Land Rover showroom and workshop in Wolverhampton are back on the table - nine months after the project was scrapped over legal wranglings.

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Work could start early in the new year at the former Metal Castings site off the Penn Road, which will create an initial 48 jobs and will feature a showroom and reception, a sales floor with an office and a service area.

Jardine Motors Group, which runs Wolverhampton's giant Audi showroom off Ring Road St Georges, has submitted plans for the project.

Bosses say it will replace the existing JLR dealership in the city and could be open for business within 18 months, pending planning permission.

Wolverhampton council's planning committee is set to rule over the application in the coming weeks.

Councillor John Rowley, who represents Blakenhall and sits on the planning committee, said: "This site sits at the entrance to the city and has, unfortunately, been derelict for a number of years.

"There is no doubt that this could be an exciting development providing the application is acceptable and any subsequent work is carried out successfully."

Plans submitted by Jardine Motors show that the sprawling site will take up two plots of land off Penn Road, sitting either side of Graiseley Hill.

The showroom will house up to 18 JLR vehicles, while a large outdoor area will feature display space for up to 141 used cars plus a large customer car park.

Neil Williamson, Jardine chief executive, said the firm hoped to maintain its momentum with the opening of the new Wolverhampton site.

"We believe our partnership with Jaguar Land Rover is key to our overall business success," he added.

JLR worked with Jardine to acquire the site from JRB Automotive after legal proceedings by Pendragon, Stratstone's parent company, blocked the original plans for the project.

JRB's managing director James Brearley was managing director of Pendragon's Stratstone division, until he left the group at the end of April.

His new business JRB Automotive had partnered with JLR on the new build centre in Penn Road. Pendragon closed its Land Rover business in Wolverhampton in 2012.

Metal Castings had made car and washing machine parts for more than a century at the site, but it closed in 2004 with the loss of 40 jobs.

Blakenhall councillor Harbans Bagri has welcomed the plans. He said: "City wide we have pockets of old industrial areas like this that have fallen by the wayside.

"It is important we encourage new development. Time has moved on and we need to replace the old manufacturing spaces with new businesses.

"I will take all new projects on their merit and I am sure council staff will work with the developers to try and make sure the development is a success."

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