Planners have given the green light to BAE Systems’ proposals to transform empty shops in Barrow amid hopes the plans will act as the ‘catalyst for revival’.
Westmorland and Furness Council has approved the company’s planning application to carry out work on the site of the former WH Smith’s, Body Shop and Sweet Emporium in Portland Walk.
The development includes the creation of a learning hub as part of BAE’s proposed Portland Walk Campus.
A planning statement prepared on behalf of BAE states: “The aim is to inspire and enable BAE’s growing workforce to remain at the front end of programme delivery by providing a ‘learning through experience’ centre and valuable knowledge transfer.
“The proposed campus seeks to build upon BAE Systems’ support for the community, strengthening the long-term prosperity of both the business and the town.
“A town centre presence will allow BAE Systems’ to attract and retain the skills required to grow the existing submarine business and make important contributions to the ongoing regeneration of the Barrow town centre.”
According to the planning statement this will provide educational and training facilities with office accommodation. In order to deliver these facilities external reconfiguration of the existing units is required.
The planning statement says: “With many of the units at Portland Walk Shopping Centre currently vacant, it can be said that the area is currently experiencing a period of decline.
“BAE Systems seeks to revitalise the town centre location and solidify its position as a significant public-facing presence.
“The scheme seeks to revive the shopping centre by occupying currently vacant units, which in turn will stimulate footfall that can positively impact and bring custom to surrounding units in the area.”
The planning statement adds the proposed development seeks to provide active frontages as well as generate footfall and has ‘the ultimate aspiration of providing a catalyst for the revival of this part of the town centre.’
The proposed external alterations will take place in two phases. Phase one will include the addition of grey facia to the frontage of the old Body Shop unit, the removal of old Body Shop sign; and the installation of frosting to front windows.
Phase two will include the installation of additional lighting to the front of the building, glazing roller shutters to be placed at the façade and a new entrance to the site.
The planning statement adds the proposed development will be visually appealing and describes the current shop fronts as ‘irregular, incoherent, and unattractive’.
The planning statement says: “The proposed external alterations are relatively light touch, however reinstate a degree of commonality across the three units and improve the overall aesthetic quality of the retail location.
“Whilst the design of the proposed façade is relatively simple, it does seek to create a clearly distinguishable, well defined space.”
