Coventry Airport Redevelopment Moves Ahead with Approval for £2.5bn Battery Hub

Plans to redevelop Coventry Airport into a large-scale battery manufacturing and clean energy site have progressed following the approval of detailed proposals by Warwick District Council.

The scheme, known as GreenPower Park, will transform the existing airport into a major “gigafactory” complex focused on battery production, advanced manufacturing and low-carbon technologies. It is being brought forward through a partnership between Coventry City Council and the Rigby Group.

Under the approved plans, the development will comprise seven industrial buildings totalling approximately 4.8 million square feet of floorspace. Individual units will vary significantly in size, ranging from around 69,000 square feet up to 1.5 million square feet, positioning the site among the largest manufacturing facilities of its kind in the Midlands.

This latest approval follows outline planning permission granted in 2022, which established the principle of redevelopment. The newly approved plans provide greater detail on the layout, scale and landscaping of the scheme.

The site has a long history as an aviation facility. Originally opened in 1936 as Baginton Aerodrome, it played a role as a Royal Air Force fighter base during the Second World War. In the decades that followed, it operated as a regional airport, handling both passenger and freight services. However, attempts to establish regular commercial routes in the early 2000s were short-lived.

Since its acquisition by the Rigby Group in 2009, the airport has primarily functioned as a general aviation site, supporting business aviation, training and emergency services. This shift reflected a broader decline in its role as a commercial passenger airport.

Located around three miles southeast of Coventry city centre, the site benefits from strong transport links, including proximity to the A45 and access to the M6, M69 and M40 motorway network.

The redevelopment forms part of the wider Coventry and Warwick Investment Zone, which aims to attract private sector investment through incentives such as tax benefits and business rates relief. The GreenPower Park project is intended to support the growth of the electric vehicle battery sector and associated industries.

As part of the transition, the airport is expected to close permanently in June 2026 to allow construction work to begin.