BAE Systems has acquired land once occupied by GSK’s former manufacturing plant in Ulverston.
The pharmaceutical company closed the site this year ending an association going back over 75 years.
In July 2017 the company announced it was not proceeding with a planned £350m biopharmaceutical expansion at its North Lonsdale Road factory warning that 191 of its staff were at risk of redundancy.
BAE is understood to be finalising wider plans for the site which is being decommissioned by GSK.
A BAE Systems spokesman said: “The site offers many redevelopment opportunities to support our customer and programme commitments and our growing workforce.
“Options for the site are currently being studied and we expect plans to be finalised next year.”
The move has been welcomed by the MP for Barrow and Furness Michelle Scrogham who convened a task force aimed at co-ordinating planning around future use of the site.
“BAE Systems know our local communities well and their ownership of this site provides the opportunity for us to secure good quality jobs and opportunities for local people for the long term.”
She added: “I am particularly pleased that this deal also secures the future of the sports and social club – including 30 acres of sports fields and the pavilion for our community. My family’s own story is intertwined with that of GSK in the town. The closure of GSK hit us all hard. However, after many years of false starts and broken promises we can now turn the page and look towards a very positive future for this site and for our local economy.”
Earlier this year two projects – Ford Park and The Spot – were chosen to share a £2 million legacy donation from Ulverston’s GSK plant.
