Sytner Group has been given the green light by planning officials for the development of a new Guy Salmon Jaguar Land Rover dealership in Portsmouth.

Officials sitting on the planning board of Portsmouth City Council granted planning permission for the new Guy Salmon dual-brand Arch Concept JLR showroom at a meeting held yesterday (December 12).

More than 100 jobs could be created by the new business, which will be located on a 1.62 hectare site at Western Road between the Village Hotel and Lakeside Business Park.

The new facility will replace the existing Guy Salmon Land Rover dealership on Compass Rd, Portsmouth.

A statement handed to Portsmouth Council, detailing the facilities offered at the new site, said that it would include an eighteen new car showroom at ground level divided between the two brands.

It added: “There will be associated offices and handover bays at ground level. The workshop – including twenty‐six work bays, two MOT bays and valeting facilities – will be to the rear at ground level.

“Linked to the workshop will be a cosmetic repair centre. There is a double height space over the showroom, however there will be some space at first floor dedicated to additional office and staff facilities.

“Finally the roof will be utilised for further back of house car parking, accessed from the ramp at the rear of the building. The roof will not be accessible to the public.”

Portsmouth’s local newspaper, The News, reported that Portsmouth councillors had unanimously approved the proposals at a planning committee yesterday, citing the need for more jobs in the city.

Tory Cllr Luke Stubbs said: “If the city wants jobs and growth then it is going to have to be flexible.

“We just don't need huge floor spaces and lots of workers these days. That's the choice we are seeing and this is a good scheme that will bring work for a sizeable amount of people.”