Approval for former WWII aircraft site plans

Plans to bring forward almost 100,000 sq ft of new space in Southampton on a site which was central to the production of aircraft components and parts during WWII have been approved.Carbide Properties is behind the application, which concerns the former Ford Motor Co operation on Wide Lane.This part of the site was occupied by various hangars and sheds housing a series of engineering companies such as Vickers-Supermarine and Cunliffe-Owen. These were building and developing new commercial aircraft before moving into military production in the build up to WWII.Following the conflict, the area evolved and grew into the manufacture of vehicle chassis and eventually the Ford Transit van before its closure in 2013.Proposed is developing the site into four industrial buildings comprising 99,500 sq ft of space. Also lined up are 112 car parking spaces.The project will support up to 257 permanent full-time equivalent jobs once it is built and fully occupied.Approval had been recommended ahead of Southampton Council’s planning committee meeting, with the decision now rubber stamped.