2 min read - 5 Aug, 2026
Works underway turning former Coventry Airport into clean energy hub
Works are underway at GreenPower Park in Coventry to transform the former 308-acre Coventry Airport site into an advanced manufacturing, battery technology and clean energy hub.
Planning permission for the project has been secured for up to 5.7 million sq ft of industrial development, with the aim of creating thousands of new jobs and injecting £2.5bn into the local economy. GreenPower Park is a public-private joint venture between Coventry City Council and Rigby Group.
Enabling works, designed to connect the site to a dedicated power supply from National Grid, are now underway. Matrix Networks and Ashwell Construction are installing a new primary sub-station, made possible with £23m from Mayor Richard Parker and the West Midlands Combined Authority’s regional flagship Investment Zone programme.
Archaeology and environmental experts have been appointed to satisfy statutory planning conditions, with archaeological investigations expected to conclude in November this year. Environmental consultants will then survey the site in advance of ground work activities commencing. Contracts are also in place for the demolition of redundant airport buildings, with works expected to conclude by Q3 2027.
Work has started at GreenPower Park in Coventry, transforming the former Coventry Airport site into a green industry hub / Picture: GreenPower Park
Mike Murray, project director at GreenPower Park, said: “Following the closure of the airport in June, we are now moving at pace to get the site ready for occupation. Planning permissions are secured and we are poised to plug in to the National Grid. This will allow us to potentially deliver a new manufacturing facility within 18 months of an occupier signing.
“In addition, we have put together a package of financial incentives – with support from WMCA and government – to help attract investors and ensure it’s a smooth and simple process from first meeting to occupation.”
GreenPower Park is in one of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s three Investment Zone sites benefitting from a range of direct funding and, in some cases, tax incentives because of their potential to create 30,000 new jobs and attract £5.5bn of investment. Around £1.5bn of business rates will also be retained and reinvested in the region to drive economic growth over the zone’s 25-year lifespan.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “Getting spades in the ground at GreenPower Park is a significant milestone in our plan to put this region at the cutting edge of global battery manufacturing and innovation. It also moves us a step closer to thousands more good quality jobs in one of our fastest-growing sectors. Using our Investment Zone funding to prepare this site is what’s driving strong interest from international investors who share our ambition and want to do business here.”
GreenPower Park has planning permission for industrial units ranging from 69,000 sq ft to 5.7 million sq ft, with some of the largest consented footprints currently available in the UK. Leaseholds or freeholds are available through letting agents CBRE.
