Gigafactory plans to be drawn up after council approval
PLANS will be drawn up for a huge gigafactory to build batteries for electric cars following approval from Coventry councillors.
Coventry City Council’s cabinet backed a Joint Venture partnership between the authority and Coventry Airport Ltd at a meeting on Tuesday, February 23.
Plans will now be developed to submit an outline application in 2021.
If successful the site could be up and running for 2025, with the city council saying it will create up to 20,000 jobs and up to £2bn of investment.
While a vision has now been outlined, the plans now need investment.
It is hoped the project would attract funding the government, which is actively pursuing investment in a gigafactory and has made up to £500m available.
Cabinet member for jobs and regeneration Cllr Jim O’boyle said Coventry Airport had been identified as a site for a gigafactory since 2016.
Speaking at cabinet, he said: “We have always been working hard on this as we knew this is a really vital bit of infrastructure and the jobs it will create, 4,000 directly, up to 20,000 indirectly. Putting together this joint venture with the leaseholders of Coventry Airport the Rigby group is to make it very clear to anybody that will listen - particularly the government - that we need to make a decision to help support this business and industry going forward by getting on with the decisions so those businesses can start to invest and prepare for the future.
“2030 is not that far away and that’s when all internal combustion engines will no longer be able to be sold in this country. It takes many years for the development of these vehicles.
“In Europe there are 16 gigafactories that are either built or in the process of being built so we need to crack on with this and make this decision now to support the industry.”
Plans for the airport site could accommodate up to 4.5m sq ft of commercial space. They have also been backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
SMART cameras are now being used to catch fly-tippers who are blighting communities in Nuneaton and Bedworth.
After what has been described as a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has said that its cameras have now gone live.
The Telegraph has been told that five cameras are now in operation to catch those who fly-tip rubbish across the two towns.
They have been deployed to the hardest hit areas but can be moved.
Councillor Jill Sheppard, cabinet member for central services and refuse, said: “I am delighted to announce the installation of smart camera systems to help stop environmental crime.
“Most residents of the borough are responsible with their waste but unfortunately there are those out there who do not feel the law applies to them.
“This initiative is vital to our ongoing commitment to tackle illegal deposits of waste which continually impacts on our residents and visitors. Anyone detected carrying out environmental crime within our area can expect to be investigated and where appropriate prosecuted for their actions”
Fly-tipping offenders risk an unlimited fine, a criminal record and even imprisonment if prosecuted.
Following an increase in waste collectors advertising via social media and other means, the council has stressed that it would like to remind householders that they have a duty of care for their waste and should ensure relevant checks are made of any third party’s taking away waste for disposal, as if it ends up fly-tipped they are still liable for prosecution.
The Town Hall says a number of fixed penalty notices have already been issued to those responsible for fly-tipping in the borough, as well as those who have given their waste to a third party - who have then gone on to fly-tip the waste.
The announcement that the cameras have gone live comes less than a week after the opposing Conservatives at the Town Hall pledged to spend money on buying more cameras to catch fly-tippers as part of its alternative budget.
If people spot fly-tipped waste, they are being urged to either online or by calling customer services on 02476 376170.
Also to remember the following:
Do not touch the waste as it may contain hazardous substances.
Do not disturb the site. If you witness fly-tipping taking place, let the council know.
Do not approach offenders. The council needs to know the date, time and location you witnessed the fly-tip.
Details of the waste as best you can determine without touching it (what it consists of, how much etc.)
Descriptions of the person(s) fly tipping and any vehicles involved (make, colour and registration number.
POLICE in Coventry have taken more than £4million worth of cannabis off the streets of Holbrooks and Radford since July 2020.
The revelation comes after cops from North West Coventry Police unit seized over £800,000 of the drug in a combined operation from four properties in Radford.
Police later said the raid means they have now confiscated 4,150 plants, with a street value of £4,180,000 from the streets from the connected areas following tip offs from local residents.
A post from North West Coventry Police’s Twitter account reads: “Since July 2020 the Holbrooks/radford team through Section 23 Drugs warrants have seized approximately 4150 cannabis plants and 3000 cannabis deal buds with a street value of approximately £4,180,000 from the Holbrooks/radford area.
“Acting on YOUR community intel. Thank you.”
Mike Hall, manager of West Midlands Police’s Cannabis Disposal Team, has previously said these kind of operations are linked to organised crime with officers often finding deadly weapons as well as drugs.
He said: “Most of the cannabis farms we deal with are being used to fund organised crime gangs.
“We often find weapons, machetes and sometimes guns, and people found at the properties are often trafficked here illegally and are being exploited.
“Our team are specially trained to clear these drugs factories as they can be very hazardous environments. Offenders tend to steal electricity by tampering with the mains supply and the dodgy wiring is a real fire risk. Several have gone up in flames.
“Anyone who claims ‘it’s just a bit of weed, haven’t police got better things to do’ is being very naive. These are criminal enterprises run by serious crime groups.”
He added: “There are lots of tell-tale signs that a property is being used to grow cannabis, not least the sweet, leafy odour of the drug itself.
“Others would be a constant low humming noise from ventilation, windows blacked out or curtains drawn all day, large ducting tubes coming from the property, powerful lights on at night, and people visiting regularly for just a short period.
“We always take information from the public seriously and will act on it where appropriate to take crime and protect the public.”