Council planners have given the green light to change the use of the former Covid-19 'mega lab' at Precision Park which has sat empty for nearly two years.

The Rosalind Franklin Laboratory has sat empty since March 2024 when it ceased to be a mass testing laboratory.

The Harrison Way building has been on the market since but there have been no takers.

Plans signed off this month by Warwick District Council have allowed UK Commercial Property Estates Holdings Ltd to change the use for the building to make it easier to find a buyer.

Currently, the unit is registered as a 'very high throughput laboratory'.

It can now be changed to a 'general industrial' building with use of 'distribution' and 'research and development' if plans are signed off by the council.

Signing off on the application, a council report said: "The proposed change of use is considered to be acceptable in principle, with the scheme considered to be acceptable from both a highway safety and parking perspective.

"Furthermore, the proposed development is considered to have an acceptable impact on the character and appearance of the area and will not give rise to adverse impacts on nearby amenity levels.

"As such, it is recommended that planning permission is granted."

The lab opened for Covid-19 testing in July 2021 - six months later than planned.

It ultimately tested around eight million tests while it was running.

The planning application explained: "Over a 12-month period, the site was actively marketed by three specialist agencies to both life sciences and wider science and technology sectors. 

"Options explored included attracting a single occupier for the whole building, multiple tenants in a lab multi-let configuration, and potential investors or operators capable of maintaining high-volume lab operations. 

"Engagement extended to key sector organisations, government bodies, universities, and industry influencers to raise awareness and identify potential occupiers. 

"Marketing materials included brochures, a dedicated website, social media campaigns, and attendance at relevant industry events.

"Despite these efforts, no suitable occupier has come forward."

Since the closure of the lab, local MP Matt Western has called for a parliamentary debate over what he considers a missed opportunity to keep using the site for "more general testing".

See the full planning application here.