Major plans have been lodged by BAE Systems to build a new state of the art four-storey research and development facility in Barrow capable of housing hundreds of employees.
The defence giant has submitted proposals to Westmorland and Furness Council for the construction of a building known as Project Spartan on the site of the former industrial storage building.
Planning documents say the proposed Project Spartan building will be the leading research and design building in the wider BAE Systems complex.
The planning statement said: “At its base, Project Spartan will support the design, build, test, and commission of the most advanced submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.
“The research and development conducted in Project Spartan could potentially result in new BAE Systems projects and consequently in the creation of training and employment opportunities for local residents and greater investment into the area.”
According to plans, the proposed building is designed to include accommodation for Royal Navy crew members to replace the current temporary accommodation as well as the now-vacant building which was used by BAE for general industrial storage.
Planning permission was secured in May last year for the demolition of the building, which was also previously used as a munitions factory.
However, since the work has not yet started and Project Spartan occupies only bays 1-9 of the building, the application seeks consent for a partial demolition of the building.
Project Spartan will consist primarily of engineering floorspace, research and development, crew accommodation, an atrium, collaboration space and a café.
According to planning documents, the proposed building will be broadly arranged in a H shape and will be 22 metres tall and occupy 23,087sq m.
Planning documents say Project Spartan will consolidate around 750 BAE employees working in buildings across Barrow into one building and provide crew accommodation for personnel who currently reside in temporary accommodation.
While the overall staff number will be 750, there will only be a maximum of 500 full-time staff, as the total capacity of crew will rarely be realised, plans add.
Planning documents say: “There is strong national and local planning policy support for Project Spartan that supports economic growth. The council’s strategic vision for Barrow Port is to strengthen, revive and redevelop the area as a high quality and sustainable location.
“The Local Plan also acknowledges that BAE System is the main employer in Barrow and plays a key role in increasing economic activity in the town. The building already has consent for demolition and Project Spartan will make best use of this brownfield site and deliver a modern high-quality building.”
Previously initial plans were developed for Spartan 1, an eight-storey building of around 46,239 sq m, delivering office space with ancillary crew facilities.
However, progress on this scheme was halted as a result of a new project brief being issued. Although Project Spartan is different to Spartan 1, comments that were received during pre-application discussions contributed to the re-design process, plans add.
The planning application is now under public consultation.
