By Margaret Crosby

Published at 11:05, Thursday, 02 August 2012

A REVISED planning application for Whitehaven’s £20million Albion Square development is to be submitted at the end of this month. If approved it will provide increased accommodation for up to 1,000 Sellafield office workers.

all change: Demolition work gets under way on site

The public will have a chance to view the revised plans at an exhibition to be staged at Whitehaven Civic Hall next Thursday, from 11am to 8pm.

The exterior appearance of the buildings, each side of Albion Street, remains relatively unchanged, with only minor differences in detailing; the main changes are in internal layout, aimed at making better use of the space available.

Previously being developed as a phased scheme the project will now all be done as a whole. Subject to planning approval for the scheme, which is being submitted by the NDA, it is hoped workmen will be on site in February working towards a completion date for the office blocks of 2014.

Site investigation has been taking place at the cleared northern end of the site, next to the multi-storey car park, and it is expected the southern side will be flattened within the next month or so.

Planning consultant Bob Metcalfe, agent for Drivers Jonas, the project managers for client NDA (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority), said: “The NDA is committed to this; there is clearance from the Treasury in terms of value for money and there is a confidence that this scheme is going to happen. The revised plan will better suit the needs of the end user. This will facilitate the movement of staff off the Sellafield site.’’

In advance of the Albion Square development Sellafield Ltd transferred 220 staff to Workington’s cattle movement centre in the spring.

A record will be made of an 18th century 80ft deep fresh water well discovered on the north side of the site, which will remain in situ.

Buildings on the south side of the site have had clearance from Natural England and Copeland Borough Council in respect of any bat habitat.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk