PLANS for a new £350 million new pharmaceutical plant in Ulverston are taking shape.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which has had a factory in the town since 1948, plans to start work on the new facility in 2015 with a view to it opening in 2021.

In order to keep residents up-to-speed, it is launching a new website, newsletter and twitter account — @GSK Ulverston.

The plant — a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility — will be the first of its kind built by GSK in the UK in nearly 40 years.

A spokeswoman said: “Our aim is to develop a new and visionary facility, designed to deliver new pharmaceutical products and increased capacity in a state-of-the-art 21st century working environment. We want to develop a facility that benefits GSK, its employees and the local community. Since the new facility was announced in March 2012, detailed planning and design has been taking place. Over the next few months we will be providing more information about the plans for the new facility and we will also be keeping people up to date with other new developments at the GSK site.

“Around February/March 2014 there will be a number of opportunities for people to find out more about our plans for the new biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility, including a number of public exhibitions.

“There will also be a feedback form so everyone can have their say before we submit a planning application. We will be providing details on the website, in the newsletter and on Twitter about how people can find out more and get involved.”

The newsletter — published in early February — will be available on the website. The first few editions will also be distributed to local homes and venues in Ulverston.

The spokeswoman added: “This is an exciting time for GSK in Ulverston. However, it is still a very early stage in the development. We are aiming to start construction of the new facility in 2015. It is then likely to take about six years before the plant is fully operational.”