Jaguar Land Rover has been given the green light to build a new Midland engineering facility for 300 skilled engineering staff.
A new base for the firm's special operations team will be built at the car maker's Fen End site in Warwickshire.
The former RAF Honiley airfield was once used to test Land Rovers before being acquired by Prodrive as a proving ground to develop and test performance cars.
The 200-acre site, which was bought by JLR in September 2014, is already home to the Jaguar Land Rover Heritage Driving experience and some of its IT operations.
JLR's plans for the site were approved by Warwick District Council's planning committee on Tuesday night.
Around 300 engineering staff are likely to be based at the new development, which is due to get under way in the new year.
The vehicle operations team is currently split across three locations but the development at Fen End will bring them all together under one roof.
It has a test track and off-roading facilities as well as a visitor centre for people taking part in events and driving days.
JLR said the new facility would reduce travel between sites and provide an improved workplace environment for its vehicle operations team.
Planning manager Sukhi Clark said: "While small in number, the vehicle operations team is a major part of our business, focused on preparing and refining vehicles for global events and product launches - helping customers around the world fall in love with our cars.
"We're pleased to get the go-ahead to develop Fen End with their needs in mind.
"When complete, our plans for Fen End will regenerate the former airfield and contribute to the wider West Midlands economy."
Ms Clark said the firm wanted to thank both local residents and local authorities for supporting the scheme.
She also promised work on the development and the new facility itself would not impinge on the local community.
"We'd like to thank our neighbours and the local councils - this important project would not have been possible without their support," she added.
"We're a responsible business and construction will be carried out in phases for the benefit of our neighbours and the local environment.
"The first step will see us improve access to site, helping to reduce traffic on local roads.
"The building plans also include sensitive landscaping and environmental management proposals to ensure that the new facility fits in with its local surroundings."
JLR said new jobs would be created as part of the construction project and when the development was in operation.
The car maker said it expected the majority of the vehicle operations team's 300 engineers would relocate to Fen End and that, during busy periods, staff numbers could increase to 500.
Fen End is already home to more than 300 IT professionals.
The site has a long motoring and military history and was home to RAF Honiley during the Second World War, with a number of squadrons using it as a base for operations. After the war, it became a vehicle test facility.
JLR also said it planned to develop a green travel plan for Fen End, including a car-share scheme and would encourage employees to take public transport, cycle or walk to work.
