Last updated 10:22, Friday, 28 November 2008

MORE than 1,000 new jobs could be created if a plan to bring £32 million of private sector business, commercial and industrial investment to Lillyhall, near Workington, goes ahead.

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Artist's impression of the proposed Lillyhall Gateway.

Northern Developments, which created the award-winning Dovenby Hall Estate, home of World Rally Ford team parent company M-Sport, is preparing to submit plans for the West Cumbria Gateway, a mix of offices, industrial units and commercial buildings on a 26-acre site at Lillyhall North, next to the A595.

If built, the development would increase the size of Lillyhall’s current business and industrial area by about 15 per cent.

Among the proposed facilities for the development, the largest ever private sector investment of its kind in West Cumbria, are a hotel, car showrooms, a fuel forecourt and a food outlet, along with a mix of industrial and office units.

Interest has already been shown in some facilities, with market research showing a need for the others.

It is anticipated 1,038 new jobs would be created on site.

Carlisle firm Northern Developments, which has been in talks with planners, councillors and key business bodies, is planning the venture to support the £2 billion Britain’s Energy Coast Masterplan, which highlights Lillyhall as a key area for business and enterprise.

The area is a hotspot for development, with the £20m Energus centre currently being built, and is set to transform education and training within the nuclear and energy industries, in association with the University of Cumbria.

Northern Developments managing director Martyn Boak said: “We wish to add to the major economic regeneration of West Cumbria.

“This is a chance for the region to become a centre of business, industry and learning and our development in partnership with others can help achieve this.”

The plans have received support from politicians and business figures.

Workington MP Tony Cunningham said: “This kind of private sector investment is just what we in West Cumbria need.”

This is the latest in a number of plans to revamp the area, including Eatonfield Developments’ £100m transformation of the former Corus steelworks site at Moss Bay, Workington, into a “community within a community”, the Derwent Howe masterplan to upgrade the industrial estate, Rhymer Investments’ proposal for the £150m development of the Port of Workington, Allerdale and Cumbria councils’ plans to develop the former RNAD arms depot at Broughton Moor into a tourism and leisure complex and Allerdale council’s plans to create a single stadium and sports development in Workington.

West Lakes Renaissance, which is overseeing the regeneration of West Cumbria, has welcomed the latest plan.

Director of regeneration Michael Baker said: “The continued development of the Lillyhall Business Park is one of our priorities.

“Sustained investment in the region’s people and businesses is vitally important and I am therefore delighted to see this interest expressed in new developments at the business park.”

A planning application cannot be submitted until after the opening of the A595 Lillyhall to Parton bypass, as the findings of a traffic survey must be included in the application.

The Highways Agency hopes to open the road before Christmas and Northern Developments hopes to submit plans in the second quarter of 2009.

If approved, building work could start next year and the project is expected to span four or five years.