Lotus Cars has revealed plans for a major expansion of its technology park - despite announcing cutbacks to its workforce.
The Norfolk-based firm is cutting up to 200 jobs after making a loss of £145.1m before tax in 2022. This followed a deficit of £86.6m the year prior.
But documents submitted to South Norfolk Council have revealed plans to construct three new buildings at the manufacturer's tech park in Hethel.
READ MORE: Norfolk's Lotus Cars cutting up to 200 jobs in restructure
The project seeks to establish production, logistics and office buildings - alongside new road infrastructure.
This includes a roundabout in Wymondham Road and a new route to improve general access to Potash Lane.
Lotus says the development will allow the business "to take the next step of growth and innovation at their Hethel HQ", arguing the expansion is needed as its current site is already working at full capacity.
As such, more space and a new production line are needed if it is to manufacture new sportscars - particularly those that are electric.
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A design and access statement from Lotus reads: "The world is progressing with various forms of sustainable transport technologies and Lotus has committed that their next mainstream sports car will be an all-electric vehicle.
"To facilitate this commitment they require new buildings that will allow them to install a production line to enable them to build an EV sportscar."
Lotus, owned by Chinese firm Geely, saw sales fall to just 576 during 2022, despite the introduction of its new Emira sports car.
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This contrasted with the 1,566 vehicles it sold in 2021.
A spokesman for the firm said: "The company is planning for further investment at Hethel to support the transition to EV sports car production and its world-renowned engineering consultancy.
"The proposed new road layout and infrastructure will improve road safety for all users, as Lotus and the Hethel Engineering Centre expand in the area.
"This is particularly vital as Lotus now employs more staff in Norfolk than ever before and is building Lotus cars at a record rate.
"Noting that [the new buildings] are still several years away, and technology is continually changing, we expect to be able to create new jobs at Hethel."
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