Up to 250 jobs could be generated after Eden councillors gave their backing to a new employment site on the outskirts of Penrith.
Andy Barr, owner of award-winning engineering firm Barrnon Limited, said a new centre of operations was required for the company as there was no room for growth at its present site in Appleby.
“Right now I am trying to create 250 local jobs,” Mr Barr told a meeting of the district council’s planning committee yesterday.
He said the proposed new site, on land north of Mile Lane, was well located, within walking distance of Penrith and its railway station, and — importantly from a business perspective — it was secure.
Having started out making fishing equipment in 2007, Barrnon expanded into the nuclear decommissioning sector in 2012 and began developing robots capable of working in highly contaminated radioactive areas.
“Our products are and were industry leading and we began to get invited into the bidding process for high value contracts in the nuclear sector,” said Mr Barr. Councillors were told the business was a success and continues to grow.
“We command a high wage, with our average staff salary well above the national average. We attract specialists in the field from all over the world,” said Mr Barr.
He added that not only was Barrnon busy with existing contracts — currently totalling £6 million — it was also in the tendering process for even more substantial ones.
A number of objections had been raised over the scheme due to fears it would mean building on the site of the former Penrith to Keswick railway line, which would scupper any chance of it ever being reopened.
Penrith resident Martin Oakley said he had initially objected to the proposal due to its impact on the alignment of the former railway line which linked the town with Keswick.
However, he said the applicant’s design team had since tabled a modified earthworks drawing which had enabled a “solid design solution” to be found — allowing the Barrnon development to co-exist alongside the former Keswick to Penrith railway line.
The meeting was told the application was deferred at January’s planning committee meeting after it had been made the subject of a call-in request for it to be determined by the Secretary of State, rather than at a local level.
Richard Fox, Eden’s planning services development manager, said that following a negotiation process it had been agreed the committee could debate the application and give approval, should it so desire, but the application would be made subject of a holding direction, meaning a decision notice cannot be issued until the ministry has given the go-ahead.
Debra Wicks (Con, Greystoke) said Eden needs investment and added her support to the application.
“Without thriving businesses and growing businesses, we will become the old people’s home of Cumbria and we will have no reason for young people to stay,” she said.
John Lynch (Con, Penrith) said: “I don’t know how any sane person can object to this application, because it is a real win-win situation.”
