A BUSY entrance to Barrow shipyard is to be permanently moved by BAE Systems after causing “conflict” with residents living opposite.

The defence giants have won planning permission to move and redesign Crossfields Gate - known as Gate 10 - off Buccleuch Dock Road.

The shipyard entry point, near the new £25million skills academy, stands just 32ft away from Cricket Field Cottages, which are near the allotments and back onto Cavendish Park.

In the last three years, the number of staff using Gate 10 is said to have soared - causing “conflict” over noise, parking, and light pollution.

Council officers said what had once been a rarely used opening in a “rusty fence” had now grown to become “the main exit point” for every vehicle leaving the BAE site south of Michaelson Road.

However, BAE Systems has now won planning permission to make changes to benefit staff and neighbours.

It applied to move the gate’s position, fully landscape the area, put up “acoustic screening” to reduce noise and create new dedicated parking places for the occupiers of Cricket Field Cottages.

Plans submitted by the company to the council, said: “The intention is to use the proposed reconfiguring of the layout around BAE Systems’ Gate 10 to improve the visual appearance of this entrance and part of the site’s perimeter.”

The application was unanimously agreed by Barrow Council’s planning committee at a meeting in the town hall on Tuesday.

Council planning manager Jason Hipkiss told the hearing: “This is seen as an improvement for local residents but also helps the company with its expansion.”

Planning committee member Cllr John Murphy said the company should be “congratulated”.

Cllr Murphy said: “BAE Systems are being very accommodating to local residents. By moving that gate a few yards up the road, they will eliminate the problem.

“Whenever there has been an issue, BAE have stood up and accommodated local residents. I think it’s great they are doing this.”

A BAE Systems spokesman said in a statement: “This application is part of our continued efforts to be good neighbours to those people who live near our Barrow site.

“We have a requirement to bring vehicles in and out of that area of the site which contains our new Submarines Academy for skills and knowledge.

“Moving the entrance further along Buccleuch Dock Road, away from residential properties, will lessen any potential impact on our neighbours. We are also planning a series of sound screening measures.”