BAE Systems in Barrow is considering building a new paint facility in Barrow.

The submarine builder is yet to submit a planning application but has already approached Westmorland and Furness Council about whether or not it would be considered an environment impact assessment impact.

It is proposed to build a pre-paint outfitting facility, known as the Ramsden Dock Facility (RDF), on land at Dova Way.

The development would house around 400 workers during the day shift, 250 during the night shift and 165 office workers, plans say.

A separate application for a temporary car park, for a period of five years, at the site is currently being considered by the council.

BAE has submitted a screening request for the site together with supporting information.

A council spokesman this week confirmed that planners have been in communication with the applicant as part of the planning process and an application is yet to be submitted.

The site is towards the southern end of Barrow Island, accessed via Dova Way, and covers an area of 6.79 hectares.

According to the letter which was sent to the council the rest of the site is currently vacant and the proposed paint facility would be similar to an existing one in the Central Yard Facility (CYF) which was granted planning permission in February 2016.

The letter states: “The key difference between the existing CYF and the proposed RDF is the addition of an annexe-type structure which will allow a 450 tonnes Goliath crane to be used.

“The proposed new building, as with the CYF, will provide a large production hall, workshop, stores, offices and amenities. The production hall will be approximately 175m long by 66m wide and 45m high, its roof will have a pitch of five degrees and a continuous parapet to all four sides.

“The support building housing the workshop, stores, office and amenity will be located immediately alongside the production hall. The support building is slightly shorter and narrower than the production building rising to a height of circa 22.5m.”

According to a separate report from the applicant the paint facility is required as part of the Boat Build programme.

It is proposed that the RDF would require piled foundations and a floor slab to support a steel-framed, clad envelope.

In addition, a drainage system would be installed and the main works would include hard standing pavement and soft landscaping.

The report states: “Minor improvements may be required to the local road network to accommodate the transportation of heavy loads.

“This would potentially comprise the area from the roundabout at Michaelson Road and Bridge Road, south towards Ramsden Dock Road, however specific details of these works are not yet known and these works would be consented under a separate application.”