CONCERNS over the loss of parking spaces for BAE staff have led to the council rejecting a planning application from the defence giants.

The installation of a new modular cabin to a calibration laboratory would have resulted in ten parking spaces being lost at Buccleuch Dock Road.

Westmorland and Furness Council turned down the proposal claiming ‘significant unauthorised parking’ was taking place in neighbouring streets resulting in an increase in the issuing of PCN’s (fixed penalty parking notices).

A decision notice from the council states: “The proposal involves the loss of car parking in an area already showing the impact of a shortfall in provision and lack of a robust sustainable travel plan.

“Evidence from site visits to the area show significant unauthorised car parking is now taking place on Buccleuch Dock Road and its environs immediately outside the application site, including parking on yellow lines, on pavements, verges and other unauthorised spaces to the detriment of highway and pedestrian safety.”

According to the decision notice, data from the planning authority shows an increase in the issuing of PCN’s on the residential streets immediately adjacent to BAE.

The notice adds: “The loss of 10 car parking spaces, combined with the demand for parking from other cumulative development in the area, the apparent absence of visitor parking, the recent loss of adjacent car parks, the absence of a robust sustainable travel plan and the context of further BAE recruitment all combine to have a likely material adverse impact upon pedestrian and highway safety in the immediate area, and upon the amenities of residents in the adjacent streets.”

The plans submitted were for a modular cabin that would have measured approximately 12.2m x 6.8m, and in total would introduce 67.2 sqm new floor space (GIA), serving as an extension to the existing calibration laboratory to which the cabin would be connected via the proposed covered walkway.

On parking the planning statement says: “The proposals will result in a loss of 10 parking spaces to allow sufficient area for the installation of the necessary security fencing. The proposals will not result in any additional employees at the Calibration Lab, therefore demand will remain constant.

“The Calibration Lab forms part of the site wide car parking strategy which is currently being updated by BAES. The updated car parking strategy will be submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council imminently and will account for the minor loss of spaces at the Calibration Laboratory carpark.”

The statement adds: “The application proposal would provide essential additional floorspace to support the intensified operation of the Calibration Laboratory, a facility that is essential to BAES’ operations.

“It is critical in supporting the ongoing operations of BAES in Barrow. It will support the continued employment generation and economic investment provided by BAES, both towards the local area and nationally.”

Westmorland and Furness planning officers refused the application on October 17.