MORE than 130 jobs could be created if plans to build a car and sales showroom by a major international vehicle manufacturer are given the go-ahead. 

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) retail investor has submitted proposals to redevelop the land on the former Swaythling Ford site which will include an 18-car showroom, a 27-bay workshop with two MOT bays, offices, staff areas, car parking and associated landscaping and fencing.

The site, off Wide Lane, was closed in 2013 after Ford revealed controversial plans to move to production Turkey leading to the loss of 500 jobs and seeing the end of 41 years of Transit production in the city.

The latest bid is part of a number of plans for the site which once fully redeveloped could create more than 1,000 jobs for the area. 

Mountpark bought the 2.2 hectare site in 2015 and will put the first spade in the ground, starting building works, on Tuesday.

It is believed the property developer already has three or four interested parties in renting the units on the site. 

There are also rumours of a top end British car manufacturer preparing proposals to set up a base on the Southampton site, making up the second component of the redevelopment. 

Among the list of major car manufactures in the UK are names such as Vauxhall, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Bentley.

If the plans are given the green light it is the car manufacturer's intention to close the existing smaller Jaguar Land Rover branch in the city centre and move to Swaythling.

Among the roles created by the scheme will be sales executives, sales managers, senior managers, technicians, parts team, service advisors and administrators, admin and front of house workers and car washers and cleaners. 

It is expected many of the jobs will be made available to Hampshire residents, with some people transferred from the current dealership.

Southampton City Council leader Simon Letts said they were really keen to get as much of the old Ford site, which covered approximately 5,160 square meters, up and running creating more jobs and employments opportunities for the city. 

"This is another important step of the development. Mountpark will start building works on another part of the site on Tuesday and I believe they already have three or four interested tenants for the units. 

"This move will also free up the other JLR site in the city making way for more city centre housing which is also good news.

"Overall we think the whole Ford site will create over 1,000 jobs. Which is fantastic news and a real positive way to start the new year."

MP Royston Smith added: "JLR are one of the UK's major success stories and they continue to expand their operations both here and abroad. Their move from the Avenue to the former Ford site is fitting and demonstrates where JLR sees itself in the future. 

"It is particularly good to see the former Ford site attracting a mix of high value employment opportunities to the area."

A JLR spokesman said the proposed investment in a new JLR retailer was excellent news for the Southampton area.

He added: "This new sales outlet for Jaguar and Land Rover customers will allow more of them to drive new award-winning vehicles. 

"This year JLR has had a record number of sales and this investment demonstrates confidence in the two brands.

"This scheme is apart of a wider multi-million-pound investment by retail investors across the country.

"We have recently opened up to 15 outlets similar to this proposal and there are more plans for 2017 and beyond."

A planning application has now been formally submitted to Southampton City Council.

A date has not yet been set for when the proposal will be debated by planners.