Plans to convert a heliport in Barrow into a training facility for an offshore wind farm developer have been given the go-ahead due to a lack of demand for the site’s previous use.
Members of Westmorland and Furness’ Barrow in Furness local area planning committee approved plans from Ørsted to transform an existing temporary heliport at Sandscale Park into a training facility for the company.
Councillors have delegated the planning permission to be granted by the head of development management for Barrow, subject to the addition of a condition to restore the helipad runway to its previous use.
Westmorland and Furness Council planning officer Andrew Wilson-Holt described the plans as a worthwhile endeavour and said the proposals recycle the site for good purposes which would help sustain industry in the area.
A report prepared for the meeting by planning officers said: “The proposed use of the redundant building differs from the original heliport use.
“Instead, a training facility is proposed to provide for technical and physical training for Ørsted personnel related to the use of large structures comprising parts of offshore wind turbines.
“This includes climbing in harnesses with ropes, with sufficient height and space required to partly replicate the activities which take place offshore. The hangars building size and construction is considered to make it particularly suited to such training.”
The existing heliport was granted planning permission in 2018 on a five-year temporary basis but according to the report prepared for this meeting this use ceased as there proved to be less demand for helicopter visits to offshore wind farms than previously thought.
A requirement exists to restore the land to its former condition by no later than April 30 2024, unless subsequent permission is first granted to retain the facility.
The planning statement prepared on behalf of the applicant said: “There is potential in the future for the site to be reused as a heliport, subject to planning permission. This use would support local employment and has been demonstrated through previous planning applications to be an appropriate use on this site.”
Members of Barrow in Furness local area planning committee delegated the planning permission to be granted by the head of development management at Barrow Town Hall on Tuesday.
