PLANS have been submitted at the Port of Workington which, if approved, will allow preparation for 'future development' at the site which has been previously pinned for 'investment opportunities' in the area.

Plans have been submitted to Cumberland Council planners for 'remediation work consisting of evacuation of topsoil and made ground, processing of excavated materials, compaction of suitable materials and associated landscaping, temporary access, ground/earthworks, to prepare for future development' on land at Oldside, Port of Workington.

Applicants have said that the planning application is seeking consent for 'a package of land remediation works' for a site to the north of the port of Workington accessed off the estate road leading from the junction on the A596 at Northside Roundabout.

The site has been identified as a 'critical asset' for the growth of the Port of Workington, something which both the local council and government have supported in recent years.

During his election campaign, Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister announced plans to double the size of the port.

A design and access statement supporting the application said: "The proposed site is a critical asset for the continued success and growth of the Port of Workington, and through the proposed remediation works the site will be ‘unlocked’ for future beneficial use and will be viewed as viable to the market with the objective of attracting and securing inward employment and investment opportunities.

"Furthermore, the site is allocated for employment, in which the development proposals subject to this application are considered to complement the aspiration set for the area of Workington within the Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1 and 2) focusing on the notion of ‘economic opportunities’ where sites such as the PoW and Oldside should be redeveloped to encourage and support sustainable economic growth.

"As such, and once remediation works are complete, the proposal will therefore stimulate much-needed economic regeneration within a key employment location which has been identified as a key aspiration of the LPA within the Local Plan."

Plans were submitted to Cumberland council on Tuesday, August 6 by an agent on behalf of Cumberland council.

The plans will now go through a consultation process with the council prior to a decision being reached by the authority.