Fight to save trees at former Jaguar site in Coventry

[dutchman]

Conservationists are fighting plans to cut down trees on the site of the former Jaguar works in Coventry.

Developers Goodmans said the trees needed to be cut down to improve drainage around Butt Lane as part of the redevelopment of the site.

But Alleseley & Coundon Wedge Conservation Society said it was unnecessary.

Jaguar ended car production at the site in 2005 after 53 years and assembly was transferred to nearby Castle Bromwich.

John Wills, of the Conservation Society, said: "You don't have to take the trees down. You can bore underneath, you can thread new pipes through old, there are lots of tried and trusted technologies."

Awaiting decision

Developers Goodman bought the site in 2007 with Advantage West Midlands.

The plan is turn it into a high-tech business and industrial park and to build about 170 homes on the site, which will be renamed Lyons Park after Sir William Lyons, founder of the Swallow Sidecar Company which eventually evolved into Jaguar.

A spokesman for Goodmans said: "Our contractors have submitted an application to Coventry City Council for a drainage ditch that forms part of the infrastructure works required to deliver the regeneration scheme at Lyons Park.

"The council is expected to make its decision on Thursday 15th April, we are unable to comment further until after then."