The first step in a major expansion of Lillyhall Industrial Estate, near Workington, is set to go ahead after plans were approved unanimously.
Proposals for a new roundabout at the junction of Branthwaite Road and Joseph Noble Road, on the northern edge of the industrial estate, were approved by Allerdale Borough Council’s development panel.
The creation of the new roundabout is the first stage in a proposed northwards extension to the Lillyhall Industrial Estate, dubbed the Lillyhall North site.
The proposals were brought forward by Allerdale Borough Council and the Allerdale Investment Partnership.
The creation of a new roundabout will secure funding to develop the Lillyhall Industrial Estate to the north. It is estimated that the site could generate around 369 full-time equivalent jobs.
The planning panel last week also approved outline plans for the development of the Lillyhall North site itself.
Christchurch Cockermouth councillor Andrew Semple said prior to the unanimous approval of the plans: “It’s much-needed industrial land, and it’s something the area badly needs.”
The site in question, roughly 10 hectares of grazing land, lies beyond the northern extent of the existing Lillyhall estate.
Outline planning permission was last week granted for the creation of a variety of industrial, storage, research and development and industrial process use buildings.
With only outline planning permission being granted, this means that further, more detailed plans will need to be approved before the development of the site itself can go ahead.
Full planning permission was granted for the construction of a new four-arm roundabout at the junction Branthwaite Road and Joseph Noble Road.
The construction of this roundabout will essentially secure the extension of the Lillyhall industrial and commercial estate.
The infrastructure project is reliant on £1.7m of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership funding.
These infrastructure works will bring forward private sector investment, allowing the wider commercial scheme to advance, expanding the Lillyhall estate.
