A MAJOR global sports wear chain will build a wind turbine at their Flimby site -after an appeal to the planning inspectorate has ruled in their favour.

The decision means that New Balance now have an ability to look at powering all their stores throughout the UK and their head office using energy generated in West Cumbria.

New Balance Ltd. submitted plans in 2023 for a 75m wind turbine at their Flimby site, however in August of the same year councillors on the Cumberland council planning committee voted against the plans, despite the recommendation of Cumberland council planning officers, after concerns were raised by some local residents.

Following an appeal submitted by New Balance to the planning inspectorate, the company now have permission granted and will build the new turbine at their Flimby site.

Daniel Holtby, Operation Director at New Balance said that the outcome was 'really positive' in terms of what it allows New Balance to do as an operator in the county.

The building of the turbine at the Flimby site means the company can uses a 'pass through' agreement and power all of the stores within the UK as well as the Warrington head office, with Dan saying this project is 'a real success story' in terms of the green agenda.

He said: "We are thrilled really, New Balance is a very successful global organisation, but we are very much independent within Flimby, so our challenges are as great as any.

"For the sites itself its a great result: it's a statement of intent, this is going to be a very significant investment in the plant and it enables us to become carbon positive."

The company which has manufactured trainers at the Flimby site for 40 years and employs around 300 people at the Flimby site.

The appeal, which was decided on July, 26 has now approved the plans subject to conditions. In response to any concerns by residents, the inspector said: "The proposal received 21 letters of objection and 20 letters of support during the application and a further limited number of objections during the appeal. Public views on the scheme are therefore finely balanced and not indicative of a lack of community support."

Mr Holtby said he was please with the decision of the planning inspectorate saying the company raised the appeal because it 'was the right thing to do'.

He said: "The case that we put forward was a really ,really strong case paying head to lots of different considerations, we made sure at significant cost that we did that due diligence and we were really shocked that in the first instance it wasn't approved, we took all the points on board.

"We didn't really not want to challenge this (councillors decision) because we think it's the right thing to do, it safeguards the longevity in West Cumbria for New Balance and domestic manufacturing, but it's also a great thing for West Cumbria as a whole.

READ MORE: BBC One documentary to feature Flimby New Balance factory