BAE Systems has lodged plans to use a Barrow building for training purposes.

The defence giants have submitted a planning application to Westmorland and Furness Council so Waterfront Gateway on Harding Rise can be used for offices and for training purposes.

The company are currently in the process of arranging to lease the building, planning documents state.

According to plans, there will be no structural alterations to the building but it is proposed there will be ‘general upgrades’ to the internal part of the building.

Planning documents add it is proposed there will be around 50 permanent members of staff on the site with around 210 students attending the building each day.

The planning statement says BAE has identified a ‘need for additional training space’ and the focus will be on training by company personnel for the local workforce.

It is proposed the facility will be used by BAE staff and not the wider public except for work experience students, plans add.

Planning documents submitted with the application say around 75 per cent of the building will be used for classrooms with the remainder of the site to be used as a canteen and collaboration space.

The building was occupied by Me and My Health Hub, under health care company Circular1, until the business entered administration in March 2023.

READ MORE: Waterfront Gateway in Barrow may see new tenants soon

In January a spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “The building was transferred to Westmorland and Furness Council on 1 April 2023.  It will shortly be placed back on the market for prospective tenants to contact the council regarding leasing space.”

The former Barrow Borough Council invested 40 per cent into the £3.5m project to build Waterfront Gateway Business Centre on Harding Rise in Barrow Island.

The building was completed in 2020 on a redeveloped docklands site near BAE. Other than the money put in by Barrow Borough Council the European Regional Development Fund also contributed to the project. The rent charged to tenants by the council is a means to recoup the investment.

This planning application is undergoing public consultation.