COUNCIL planners have given unanimous approval to initial plans for a new £350m factory for Glaxo in Ulverston.

The first glimpse of the outline application went before South Lakeland District Council's planning committee on Thursday.

They gave it 'in principle' support - ahead of a more detailed application anticipated early next year.

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The facility, at the company's North Lonsdale Road base, will go on the south side of the site with replacement sports facilities going on the west.

The 25 hectare site will be developed in three separate phases with the main production buildings being no taller than 30 metres (90ft).

The plans include:

* A 119,000sqm facility with three production buildings

* Office and research and development floorspace

* Staff canteen

* Distribution and storage warehouse

* A utilities building

* A sports and social centre comprising up to three pitches and a bowling green

* A sports centre of up to 6,250sqm

* A sub-station, waste water treatment plant

* Associated works

Kate Lawson, SLDC planning officer, told the committee that there had been no objections from Ulverston Town Council or residents, which she attributed to GSK's 'excellent public consultation' which took place in the town earlier this year.

"It's a major proposal for South Lakeland and certainly the largest I have ever dealt with," said Ms Lawson, who said 700 jobs would be created overall.

Coun Bharath Rajan, an Ulverston Labour councillor who used to work at Glaxo, said the 30 metre high buildings were equivalent in size to existing buildings and some that have been demolished.

He said: "I've been involved with this proposed development for a couple of years now and every single point that has been raised with it has been answered to my satisfaction."

Ulverston councillor Janette Jenkinson, for the Conservatives, said: "This has been a well thought-out application. I congratulate our officers and GSK."

Coun Jonathan Brook, SLDC’s portfolio holder for strategic growth, welcomed the decision He said: “This facility will help to deliver economic benefits across the area with highly skilled jobs at the site and also in the supply chain, both during construction and subsequent operation on the site."

Surveys have been undertaken and found the construction works would 'not have a likely significant effect on Morecambe Bay', while Natural England has also made representations.

Pat McIver, the GSK Site biopharm lead, said: “The first construction work that people will see taking place will involve moving the car park from the south of the GSK site, where the new factory will be built, and improving access to the existing factory. This is expected to start later this year.

"A more detailed ‘reserved matters’ application for the first part of the new factory will be submitted during 2015. This will enable people to see exactly what the buildings will look like.

"The company expects to start work on constructing the first part of the new factory in 2016, once the ‘reserved matters’ planning application has been approved and additional work has been completed to prepare for construction."