A massive new office building for Penrith has been welcomed this week ahead of a huge influx of executive staff as part of the A66 dualling project.
PFK won change of use planning permission to create new offices from its former antiques and furniture sale room on the Skirsgill Business Park north, near the auction mart.
The new headquarters would offer space for up to 65 full-time staff and 25 part-time employees, with parking for 87 cars.
Andrew Green, PFK managing director, confirmed that the company made the application on behalf of a potential tenant looking for large office accommodation.
The Herald has learned that National Highways are looking to use it as a new home off the eastbound side of the A66 and on the approach to Skirsgill roundabout over the M6.
The government-owned company, formerly Highways England, is masterminding the £1.3bn Northern Trans-Pennine project to connect the M6 at Penrith to the A1 (M) at Scotch Corner, along with making a range of safety improvements.
Stephen Macaulay, president of Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce, welcomed the business boost, which he said would bring benefits to the town’s economy. He said: “This is great news. It’s a big site and underused so it’s good to see us making use of land and bringing nearly 100 jobs to the town which is very welcome.”
The new offices will feature a reception area, two boardrooms, five meeting rooms and desks for more than 60 staff.
There are also temporary ‘hot’ desks for visitors, and a multi-faith prayer room.
Planning officers at Westmorland and Furness Council agreed the change of use permission and Penrith Town Council was supportive. The A66 project could take five years.
On Monday, the Planning Inspectorate, which has been running the rule over finer details of the A66 project as part of its official examination, closed the process.
Inspectors now have three months to make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport, who then has three months to make a decision, which would mean a formal decision by Christmas at the latest, if the timetable goes to plan.
PFK also has an application in with the council for its own £2 million headquarters at Mile Lane close to the same site.
It has been estimated that up to 50 jobs could be created for the nine-month construction phase, expected this year, providing it is given the green light.
