NEWS
“The question who ought to be boss is like who ought to be the tenor in the quartet? Obviously, the man who can sing tenor.”
MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE’S £1BN EXPANSION PLAN The six-year strategy aims to produce 15 new cars or derivatives of existing models and lift annual sales to as much as 5,000 cars, from the current 1,600. At least half of the cars will have hybrid engine technology. McLaren Automotive, which draws on technology used by the F1 racing team, was launched just six years ago. Mike Flewitt, McLaren Automotive’s chief executive said: “This business plan confirms that McLaren Automotive will remain proudly and fiercely independent by continuing to build the world’s finest two-seater sports and supercars.” But he added that plan, called Track 22, was also about broadening the UK supercar maker’s customer base with a new range of cars more attractive to the rich - rather than just the super-rich. The company is responsible for supercars including the £1m petrol-electric hybrid McLaren P1, but has already started introducing cheaper models. This includes the launch at the Geneva Motor Show of the £150,000plus 570GT, which is pitched at some rival cars produced by Ferrari and Porsche. Rather than being a racing machine, Mr Flewitt says the 570GT is designed to give a more relaxed drive, and has been designed with a more comfortable suspension. It also has more luggage capacity. About a quarter of the new £1bn investment will go directly into research and development, Mr Flewitt said. This will include work on an all-electric prototype. Electric sportscar technology is advancing fast, led by the likes of Tesla.
DUNSFOLD PARK Eleven parish councils have sent a letter to the Secretary of State for
ALDI TAKEOVER Firms are preparing to leave a business centre in Chertsey and dozens of
Communities and
comments
Local Government
objecting to Aldi’s
(SoS), requesting
plans to set up
he calls-in
shop have been
the 1,800-
submitted to the
home “new
council.
town” application
The German discount store wants to open in Chertsey Business Centre,
at Dunsfold Park.
between Gogmore Lane and Guildford Street, with the entrance and exit
Within the letter to the SoS, MP Greg Clark, the parish councils have
in Gogmore Lane.
said the application “breaches policies of the expectant local plan”
Mike Horrell, a Riversdell Close resident, said the development would
and “flies in the face of previous decisions that Dunsfold Airfield is an
‘result in an enormous increase’ in traffic along a residential road, and
isolated and unsustainable site”.
noted the ‘obvious noise and safety implications’ at the site.
The SoS has the power to call in a planning application to be referred to
“There will be a significant increase in the volume of commercial
him for determination after a public inquiry, instead of being dealt with
vehicles, including articulated HGVs, to deliver supplies to the proposed
by the local authority.
development,” he said. Although a date for a planning meeting is yet to
Once called in, referred to the SoS and agreed upon, he may inform
be announced, businesses are beginning to leave the Chertsey Business
Waverley that, if they are minded to approve the application, they
Centre, ahead of any decision.
cannot grant the permission without his consent. The 11 councils are also supported by Guildford district committees, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and by Protect Our Waverley campaign body. Dunsfold Park has been contacted for a comment.
Alistair Stewart, who runs Fat Al’s Gym in Chertsey Business Centre, will shortly be shutting up shop and moving to pastures new following the submission of the planning application. He said he and other occupants at the Gogmore Lane site were told by the landlord they would have to leave by the end of May.
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