THE PUBLIC could see changes outside the New Balance factory in Flimby if plans to extend the site are approved.

An application has been submitted to Allerdale Borough Council to extend the car park outside the New Balance factory in Flimby.

The proposal would extend the car park to the west and the north of the site.

New spaces in the west would be located in front of the roadside elevation, closer to the shop entrance.

As well as an outlet for New Balance products, the site is also a sprawling factory and major employer in the area, extending the car park would mean that existing visitor parking can be used by staff.

New spaces to the north east would act as overflow parking for staff.

Explaining the need for changes to their site in the Design and Access statement, they said: “Against the trend, which has seen many of its competitors moving production overseas, the company remains committed to manufacturing in Britain.

“Currently New Balance employs over 210 people at its site in Flimby and produces over 28,000 pairs of shoes a week, with 90 per cent of all footwear sold going to European markets.”

They said: “In total an additional 45 parking spaces are proposed on site although this caters for future expansion and therefore it is expected in the short term that much less will be constructed.”

Bollard lighting along the edge of the existing pavement towards the shop entrance is proposed as part of the plans.

A new length of road into the site is proposed to service the new parking areas.

The area that is set to be developed is currently grass banking which will be landscaped to provide the new access road and parking.

Two accessible parking spaces will be included, one of which will be located closer to the shop entrance.

Full planning permission is needed for the plans to go ahead and the application is currently under consultation.

All applications submitted to Allerdale Borough Council can be viewed an commented on by the public.

To search planning applications and have your say on plans for development in your area, visit: https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/planning-building-control/planning-applications/