JAGUAR Land Rover (JLR) has distanced itself from reports that it is set to create 1,500 jobs and double the size of its Halewood plant.

The claims appeared in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph, and reported that “sources familiar with the situation” say the firm is exploring plans to double the size of the plant by developing on surrounding land in an investment estimated at £100m, although it said the proposals are thought to be at a “relatively early stage”.

It claimed the moves were linked to a surge in demand for JLR’s products, and that staff had been called in over Christmas for a special shift to produce more vehicles.

However, the claims are understood to have led to puzzlement within the car manufacturer, which declined to comment in detail.

Instead, it issued a short statement in response which said: “JLR has not made any announcements about Halewood Operations, and we do not comment on speculation about possible future plans.”

Recruitment of a further 1,500 staff for Halewood is unlikely, as the company had already created 1,500 new jobs – doubling its workforce to 3,000 – on the run-up to the July launch of its new Range Rover Evoque model last year.

Staff worked flat-out to produce the Evoque, which won global plaudits from the international motoring press during summer test drives around North Wales and Liverpool.

But, in keeping with production schedules, about 70 non-contract staff were released just before Christmas, taking staffing numbers to the targeted 3,000 level.

And with the plant working at pretty much full capacity, it is unlikely hundreds more would be required.

Also, claims of expansion for the plant are difficult to comprehend, as it is already bounded on all sides by the Liverpool to London rail line to the rear, Speke Boulevard to the front, the Getrag Ford transmission plant on one side, and the Boulevard supply park to the other.

Some JLR staff were required to work over Christmas, but this only involved the Solihull plant in the Midlands, and not Halewood.