BMW MINI plans a major investment at its Oxford plant that is considered “critical” to the carmaker’s plans to transition to low-emission vehicles through the electrification of future models, with plans due to be put before a committee next week.
The manufacturing giant’s Oxford plant is the main assembly plant for the MINI range of cars and currently produces the MINI three- and five-door Hatch, MINI Clubman and MINI John Cooper Works.
It is “key” to BMW’s manufacturing activities and network in the UK and remains a contributor to Oxford’s local and wider UK economy.
BMW is preparing to upgrade its production facilities to meet the future needs of the automotive industry. In particular, it seeks to ensure the ability to facilitate the future electrification of its vehicle models.
Earlier this year, the company announced an investment of more than £600 million in two MINI plants (Oxford and Swindon) as part of a job-saving deal.
Plans were submitted in September and are now before the committee for consideration.
The program can be divided into four main parts, the first being the Technologie Karosserie Bau/Technologie Logistik (TKB/TLO) site.
Buildings 30.5 and 31.5 are currently being demolished and replaced with a facility that will provide 161,264 square feet of additional floor space. The proposed facility consists of ground floor and mezzanine floors and will connect to the existing body-in-white (Building 30.1) on the north side.
The final part of the plan is the Trailer Park District site. The proposals include additional space east of Roma Road to accommodate parking for up to 97 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The parking lot will also include an inspection canopy.
At the same time, BMW said it also intends to carry out some integration engineering for Building 50.0. This included the installation of a new delivery deck, canopies and rolling shutter doors on the south elevation.
A planning statement included as part of the application said: “The proposed development represents a significant investment in the existing MINI factory and is critical for BMW’s transition to low-emission vehicles through the electrification of its future models.
“This plan will provide the necessary capacity to meet these production needs and will ensure operational resilience in a changing market, ensuring the future success of the plant and safeguarding employment levels.”
A report drawn up ahead of the submission of the proposal to Oxford City Council’s planning committee on December 12 added: “The report states that the proposal involves some significant changes to an already large industrial site, but officers believe the development will be carried out as far as possible. Possibly the most sensitive way, minimizing harmful impacts while delivering substantial public benefits to the City of Oxford, surrounding counties and the UK economy as a whole.
“The proposed development will therefore not only enable BMW to move to fully electric vehicle production and secure employment for local people, but also create a more environmentally resilient environment through further investigation and mitigation work, as well as by improving the natural environment. site. Trees and ecological baselines.”
