An award-winning East Lancashire engineering company is seeking to expand.

Fort Vale Engineering Ltd want to add a new multi-million pound production warehouse to their complex on the Calder Vale Park in Simonstone.

It is part of the firm's growth plans for the former Mullards television tube manufacturing site near Burnley.

Fort Vale is a world leader in the precision manufacture of valves and fittings for transportation of chemicals, liquified gases and food goods by tanker.

The firm has submitted a planning application for the scheme to Ribble Valley Council.

A supporting design and access statement says: "The proposed development is part of the ongoing investment programme at the Simonstone site to facilitate business growth and to allow more

efficient site operations.

"Since acquiring the site, Fort Vale have refurbished and developed 'Building S' and cleared other disused buildings.

"A new office building, Research and Development facility, an extension to ‘Building S’, a foundry, a sports and recreation facility and most recently a storage warehouse have al been constructed, firmly establishing the site as the company’s international headquarters.

"The application site currently consists of remaining concrete slabs of former buildings and service yards which have been demolished.

"The proposed building will provide a supplementary production floor area on-site to allow the expansion of the manufacturer.

"The proposed building is positioned in the north of the overall site in close proximity to the foundry and storage warehouse to allow for efficient transfer of materials as well as utilising the existing site infrastructure.

"The internal layout reflects the functional nature of the operations.

"The entire ground floor space comprises of production plant with the exception of the core area which provides access to the first floor welfare and supporting facility to the new unit.

"The overall treatment will aesthetically give a natural consistency of design and structure to the neighbouring developments.

"At low level a masonry plinth runs along the majority of the building perimeter, while the upper section is finished with a micro-rib insulated metal cladding.

"On the eastern façade, the metal cladding is extended down to ground level.

"Glazed curtain walling is proposed to the corners of the warehouse.

"The south elevation is further accentuated by a large cantilevered canopy over the existing service yard.

"This creates dramatic interest to an otherwise simple elevation whilst providing shelter to the access route from the warehouse.

"Fort Vale’s substantial investment is a clear commitment to the ongoing development of the Calder Vale site, thus promoting growth of the local economy."