A major roadblock to Gloucestershire's first hypercar factory looks to have been resolved after highways gave their backing to revised details for the proposed site at Wotton-under-Edge.

The road authority's agreement over a brand-new road junction on the B4058 comes after McMurtry Automotive Ltd, which is owned by Renishaw PLC co-founder Sir David McMurtry, first asked Stroud District Council in May 2023 for permission to build a new factory on farmland immediately adjacent to Renishaw's global HQ at New Mills, between Wotton-under-Edge and Charfield.

Despite local claims that the proposed main entrance to the new site could be hazardous, Bruton Way-based architects Roberts Limbrick (RL) submitted a revised Design and Access statement on the project in early September – with the access and road safety aspects now being agreed by Shire Hall's Highways Department.

RL told planners that the company, founded in 2016 by Sir David McMurtry, operates "at the leading edge of technology, working to develop the next generation of electric vehicle innovation with the aim of expanding to road car vehicles in the future".

Sir David stepped down as chairman of Renishaw PLC in June but remains a non-executive director.

RL added: "The project will provide McMurtry Automotive with the facilities for production, visitors/customers showroom for private sales and space for technological developments. The scheme has been developed with consideration of the site's existing constraints in order to minimise any impact and ensure it's embedded into the surrounding context. The new facility aims to reflect the McMurtry brand with a high quality proposal which will provide the amenities for the company to develop and improve job opportunities within the area."

Simon Penketh, Development Coordinator at Gloucestershire Highways, told planners that it was acknowledged that the majority of trips to and from the factory would be by private car, but added: The Wotton to Charfield greenway is proposed to route adjacent to and through the development site. This is currently in the initial stages of design but is proposed to route through the site to the southern extent, where land has been safeguarded for this purpose. Therefore, this will provide a dedicated walking/cycling route to/from the site."

He noted that the 28 staff who already work for the company at the existing Swinhay site nearby would be relocated to the new plant, along with 22 new jobs which would be created, giving a net increase of seven two-way trips during the morning peak hour and five two-way trips at the end of the working day.

Mr Penketh added: "The Highway Authority is satisfied that this will not result in an adverse impact on the local highway network," and cloncluded that there were "no justifiable grounds on which an objection could be made."

Access via the existing Renishaw roundabout had been explored, he said, "but was unfeasible due to land constraints. Discussions have been held with the applicant with regards to previous concerns on visibility particularly with the gradient on the western approach, but the Highway Authority is now satisfied that a safe and suitable access can be achieved taking into account the downward gradient on the approach. Visibility requirements will be conditioned as part of any approval."

A contribution of £12,500 is also set as part of the deal as a workplace travel plan levy.

Already being marketed, the Spéirling PURE electric hypercar retails at £984,000 inclusive of tax. 

Top Gear magazine's summary of the car said: "Looks like a miniature Batmobile, sounds like a TIE fighter from Star Wars, goes like the absolute clappers."

Two years ago, the maker set an all-time hillclimb record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the car when it completed the track test in 39.04 seconds, smashing the previous 1999 record of 41.6 seconds.

The Sunday Times said of the achievement: "Aiding the Spéirling in its attempt was its low weight (1,000kg) and high power (1,000bhp) giving it a 40% better power-to-weight ratio than a Bugatti Chiron and a 0-60mph time of around 1.5 seconds." 

The newspaper added that the "whoosh and uncharacteristic din of the Spéirling's fan and rear-mounted motor proved that an EV can still put on an exciting show."

In April this year, the Spéirling PURE achieved the fastest lap time ever recorded at Castle Combe circuit in WIltshire. Running at 80% power with a 155mph speed limit, a lap time of 54.559s was achieved during private testing.

● Punchline-Gloucester.com editor Mark Owen says: "This is great news – not just for the headline creation of 22 news jobs but also for Gloucestershire's profile as a hotbed for innovation and technology. While the mighty Spéirling chomps at the bit, no date is as yet indicated by Stroud District Council for final approval of the sheme. Yet as the firm indicates, this trailblazer car could be the pathway for roadgoing, affordable EV innovation. So we need to embrace it with open arms. As we have already flagged though, there is a risk of this entire scheme shipping west and going over the bridge to a site in South Wales. Along with heel dragging over Dale Vince's spectacular plan for the world's first wooden football stadium at the M5's Junction 13, there is a feeling in the air that Gloucestershire's potential could put us at the cutting edge – if Stroud District Council pulls its finger out." What's your view? Share your thoughts with Mark Owen at mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk.