WORK is soon to start on the expansion of one of Swindon’s most popular car dealerships.

Cambria Automobiles, the company that owns Grange Jaguar, in Dorcan Way, is to bulldoze Swindon Motor Park, also owned by Cambria and situated beside the Jaguar dealership.

The work will make way for a new Jaguar showroom.

A planning application has already been submitted and the plans propose a complete redevelopment of the existing car showrooms and workshops and the reworking of the parking area.

As well as the new showroom, there will also be facilities for vehicle sales, servicing, MOT testing, repairs, valeting and other ancillary uses.

The new showroom will come complete with sales and service desks, 16 standard workshop bays, two MOT bays and parking for used cars and customers.

Rather than move elsewhere, the bosses at Jaguar want to make full use of the site’s location, which, due to its “good highway positioning”, makes it ideal for a car dealership.

Considerations have also been made as to the expected benefits of replacing the Swindon Motor Park building with a more modern and contemporary structure.

The planning report states: “The design of executive car brands does mean that quality of design is important to Jaguar.

“The removal of the existing buildings will be a considerable visual improvement with the new build removing the building clutter from the site and will be seen as a visual enhancement to the character of the area.”

Stressing the further advantages of the plans, the report states: “The requirement is for the new buildings to provide a much better experience for all connected with the business. This includes the wellbeing of employees, stakeholders and customers.

“Hence it is the whole range of services which are improved on site, for example, car sales and servicing areas provide much better working environments.

“It is important for companies like JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) that the investment in site facilities and buildings continues to offer an improved experience and environment for the customer and employees as the standards in car and retail business seek to deliver an enhanced and quality environment.

“The development is a considerable investment in the dealership.

“These social and economic benefits are important considerations and are material to the application.”

No objections were raised when the planning application was discussed at a meeting of the Stratton St. Margaret Parish Council.