Plans for a 697-space car park for BAE Systems in Barrow has been approved by the borough council’s planning committee.
The scheme for an area off Hindpool Road forms part of a wider investment programme at the company.
BAE Systems initially wanted to create a 509-space car park in 2015, which was approved, and that was increased to 675 spaces the year after, which was also approved.
A spokesman for BAE said last month that the design of the site had matured and the company had seen an opportunity to expand it.
In a report produced ahead of a meeting of the council’s planning committee last week, case officer Maureen Smith said a landscape plan submitted with the application for the 697-space site did not include the level of planting of the original scheme.
“In particular, the trees within the car park have been omitted,” she said. “This is disappointing given the prominence of the site and the new requirement in the National Planning Policy Framework encouraging the provision of tree planting.
“This has been raised with the agent and a response is awaited.”
In her conclusions, Ms Smith noted that the pattern of vehicle movements related to the car park had been accepted by the county council as being within the capacity of the local highway network.
However, she said that some matters of detailed design require clarification from the highway authority.
Ms Smith recommended a decision on the application be delegated to the borough council’s head of development management once all outstanding issues had been resolved.
The application also includes the provision of security fencing, security lighting and a cycle shelter.
In February, it was revealed work on the car park, which was, at the time, going to hold 675 vehicles, had begun.
A spokesman for BAE said it was expected the new, 697-space site would open early next year.
Employees who are to use it are currently parking in other parts of the BAE site.
