A flagship Blackburn company is set to invest up to £4 million in expanding its premises in the town.
Presspart Manufacturing Ltd has been granted planning permission to demolish an existing warehouse and construct a new storage and manufacturing building at its factory in Philips Road on the Whitebirk Industrial Estate.
The move is part of a wider strategy of enhancing the facilities on the site.
Presspart Manufacturing employs 200 staff is part of German-owned H&T Presspart, a major supplier of precision metal components for the international pharmaceutical industry.
In 2021/2022 the firm added two new buildings to the complex at a cost of more than £1 million.
Presspart was founded in 1970, and in 2002 it was taken over by the Heitkamp and Thumann Group and now has factories in Germany and Spain.
A report recommending approval by planning officer Nick Blackledge said: "The application site is currently occupied by the applicant for industrial purposes.
"It is located and accessed to the east of Philips Road, Blackburn, within a Primary Employment Area. The site forms part of the applicant's wider operational land holding to the east.
"Full planning permission is sought for the demolition of the warehouse and construction of new buildings (3101.4 square metres).
"The proposal includes a dual-phased approach to implementation of development.
"Phase One involves the partial demolition and erection of a new industrial building to the southwest of the site.
"The existing unit that will be replaced by the Phase One build is currently occupied by a tenant.
"The applicant aims to let out the Phase One Unit and continue to operate as a standalone industrial unit that will be separate to the operation of the adjacent Factory 6 and wider Presspart operation.
"Phase Two will be the potential future development for Presspart Manufacturing Ltd.
"It involves the demolition of the existing ‘Factory 6’ and erection of an extension, front and side of the Phase One build.
"The Phase Two development represents Presspart’s future prospect of occupying the whole site should future circumstances change.
"The proposed development will result in an increase in staff numbers and associated trips to and from the site."
Presspart managing director Tony Cross said the total new long-term investment in the site by its German owners could reach £4m.
He said: "We are looking to redevelop the site for future expansion and business.
"This is another very exciting development."
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