Prodrive factory decision this month
Prodrive should move a step closer to getting planning permission for their Formula One-spec factory in Warwickshire later this month with the matter tabled for discussion at a meeting on May 23, autosport.com has learned
Following the end of the public consultation on the plans for a state-of-the-art facility at the former airfield in Honiley, a Warwick District Council spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that it has now prepared all the paperwork it needs for the matter to be discussed by its Planning Committee.
It had been hoped that the application would be considered as early as this week but it has now been scheduled for the May 23rd sitting - although there is no guarantee that it will be discussed then if its agenda is already full.
If it is evaluated then, however, then there is likely to be an immediate answer on whether the council accepts or rejects the planning application.
A positive outcome will not automatically mean that Prodrive will be allowed to build the facility, however, because the matter still needs to be approved by John Prescott, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and Regions.
As the application is regarded as a 'departure from the development plan', because the factory is being built on green belt land, it automatically has to be approved by the government minister even if the local council support it.
Proscott's decision could take several weeks and, if he decides to call it in for further examination, then the matter may not be resolved for months.
Prodrive have already said that they will run their new F1 team out of their current Banbury factory until the Honiley site is up and running.
With Prodrive boss David Richards having told recently that he was confident the application would be accepted, local politicians have also shown their support for the facility - which is known as 'Fulcrum'.
John Deegan, Warwickshire County Council's strategic director of environment and economy, told Kenilworth Today that he was overjoyed at Prodrive's successful application to enter F1 in 2008.
"I've been working closely with Prodrive for the past two years and the announcement that their Formula One team will be based here in Warwickshire is fantastic news for the county," he said.
"Warwickshire is demonstrating again and again the tremendous skills base available and is becoming a major player in motorsport engineering and research.
"The news also comes as the best possible tonic for the county after last week's announcement from PSA Peugeot Citroen that it plans to close the works at Ryton. Warwickshire County Council wishes Prodrive as many successes in Formula One as the company has enjoyed in rallying."
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