COUNCILLORS are set to give the green light to plans to convert a heliport in Barrow into a training facility for an offshore wind farm developer due to a lack of demand for the site’s previous use.
Members of Barrow in Furness local area planning committee will decide whether to approve plans submitted by Ørsted to transform an existing temporary heliport at Sandscale Park into a training facility for the company on Tuesday (October 31).
The existing heliport was granted planning permission in 2018 on a five year temporary basis but according to the report prepared for this meeting this use ceased as there proved to be less demand for helicopter visits to offshore wind farms than previously thought.
A requirement exists to restore the land to its former condition by no later than 30th April 2024, unless subsequent permission is first granted to retain the facility.
The planning statement prepared on behalf of the applicant said: “There is potential in the future for the site to be re-used as a heliport, subject to planning permission. This use would support local employment and has been demonstrated through previous planning applications to be an appropriate use on this site.”
The proposed change of use would require minimal internal alterations to the existing use and no external alterations according to planning officers.
The planning statement adds retaining the facility of the heliport represents a “sustainable approach to existing assets”.
A report prepared for this meeting by planning officers states: “The proposed use of the redundant building differs from the original heliport use. Instead, a training facility is proposed to provide for technical and physical training for Ørsted personnel related to the use of large structures comprising parts of offshore wind turbines.
“This includes climbing in harnesses with ropes, with sufficient height and space required to partly replicate the activities which take place offshore. The hangars building size and construction is considered to make it particularly suited to such training.”
The report adds the proposed development would see a maximum frequency of one training event every two weeks with up to 20 people in attendance.
The site covers 1.14 ha of land at the existing heliport facility on Sandscale Park and is located 4km north of Barrow Town Centre. To the north of the site are open fields, with a waste transfer station to the east, woodland to the south and Walney Channel to the west.
The planning statement adds the site is "heavily developed" and incudes in proposals plans to increase biodiversity.
Amongst the proposals include the management of grassland next to the site, the addition of swift and sparrow house boxes and an above ground reptile hibernaculum.
Members of Barrow in Furness local area planning committee are recommended to approve the application when they meet on Tuesday (October 31) at Barrow Town Hall.
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