WORK has begun on a major project that is set to transform the skyline of a South Cumbrian town. 

BAE Systems is celebrating the start of the £300m redevelopment of its submarine base in Barrow. 

The project has been introduced to enhance the capabilities of the existing facility to prepare for the construction of the Successor, the replacement for the Vanguard class. 

To enable this, BAE Systems has proposed a number of projects to help it produce the 18,000 ton nuclear submarines.

One of which is the £130m Central Yard Complex project, which will be located opposite the main shipyard gate in Bridge Road. 

Ground preparatory work began on the site last week and it is expected the site will take two years to complete.

The Central Yard Complex is set to stand taller than the Devonshire Dock Hall (DDH) and be about two-thirds its overall size. 

The construction of the building is set to use 50,000 metres of piling and a further 8,000 tonnes of steelwork - which is almost the weight of an Astute class submarine. 

Planning permission for the building was given on September 15, along with the extension to the Devonshire Dock Hall. 

Approval is subject to a series of conditions which include an agreement between BAE and Barrow Borough Council and Cumbria County Council to ensure the implementation of a Travel Plan for the site.

The building has been designed to be aesthetically pleasing and will allow plenty of natural light into the facility to make it as light as possible. 

This new building is set to house 800 people and will include a new manufacturing facility and adjacent paint shop which will be used to outfit sections of the Successor submarines. 

Project manager, Phil Aspden, believes this is a great day for Barrow.

He said: "The commencement of the Central Yard Complex work is the culmination of three years’ planning and preparation. 

"It marks a milestone as the first major development on the site in many years. 

"The 10-strong BAE Systems project team, who all have roots in the local area, are committed to delivering a building which will secure submarine boat building capability in the yard for the next 25 years and beyond."

"The Central Yard Complex is the first major development within the shipyard as part of the eight-year site redevelopment programme." 

The project is expected to take approximately two years to complete, during which time as many as 300 people will be involved in the construction of the complex on a daily basis. 

It is hoped many local firms will be able to get a slice of the action and several local firms are already providing specialist construction services for the project. 

Mr Aspden added: "The BAE Systems project team are now focused on delivering the construction of the Central Yard Complex, which will be ready for operational use by the end of 2017. 

"We are also preparing to accommodate the 800 people working in the building and ensuring everything is operational from day one."#


BAE Systems Central Yard Complex artist's impression. Submitted July 2015 Central Yard Complex fact file

  • The Central Yard Complex project is the first step of the site's redevelopment programme. 
  • It will cost £130m.
  • The complex will be located in Bridge Road.
  • Approval was given from Barrow Borough Council's planning committee on September 15. 
  • The building is set to stand taller than the Devonshire Dock Hall and will be around two-thirds its overall size.
  • It will take two years to complete
  • The complex will house around 800 staff members
  • This site will be used to outfit the Successor submarines. 
  • It will include a new manufacturing facility and adjacent paint shop.