A New Fisherman’s Friend factory has been given the go ahead at Fleetwood as plans show a very modern design
Lofthouse of Fleetwood will now feature a new building with a gross floor area of 36,364 square metres, built on land south of Windward Street and east of Amounderness Road.
The application was approved by Wyre Planning Committee on Wednesday 6 September.
Artist’s impressions show a very modern building with much attention paid to elegant landscaping.
The scheme has been recommended for approval by the Planning Officer.
Read more: 11 photos showing how the former public office building in St Annes was restored and will soon open as a Homebird Interiors furniture store and café
The company, a major employer in Fleetwood whose aids have long been a successful international band, currently has its factory building on Maritime Street.
Lofthouse of Fleetwood purchased the site from Associated British Ports (ABP) for an undisclosed sum.
Duncan Lofthouse, managing director of Lofthouse of Fleetwood, said: “Our planning application was for a brand new build on a 20-acre site across Amounderness Way from our existing facility.
“This will be a 5-7 year project and there will be a transition period during this time.
“Our intent is to protect employment while at the same time embracing new technology regarding our manufacturing operations.”
The new building will contain a main production area, a warehouse, an engineering and service area, an office building for employees, and a link area containing the employee canteen and employee facilities.
Plans also include the construction of a separate security lodge/gate house at the entrance to the site, including the creation of a new entrance off Windward Street and associated drainage works including pond, landscaping, parking and environmental mitigation.
The planning papers state: “It will be one continuous building but consisting of a large rectangular main building element three storeys high, a two-storey link section connecting to the north, and a further two-storey rectangular block to the north of the link.
“A roof terrace/garden is proposed over part of the ground floor of the link.”
The company, which currently employs 380 people, was transformed into a global brand by entrepreneur and philanthropist Doreen Lofthouse OBE, who died in March 2021 at the age of 91.
