AROUND 250 jobs are set to be created in Ulverston if a new £350 million biopharmaceuticals site gets the go-ahead.

Lakes BioScience Ltd, of Ulverston, has submitted plans to South Lakeland District Council for the site on a disused car-park at Pulman Road.

The company, formed more than 12 months ago is accelerating its plans due to global demand, and today it has revealed what its new site will look like.

Pat McIver, a founding director of Lakes BioScience explained the development will create 'high value jobs' in a 'fast growing sector'.

He said: “Globally, supply chains are under huge pressure to provide manufacturing capacity for monoclonal antibodies.

“We feel that now is the right time to submit plans so we are in a position to respond to this demand.

"Lakes BioScience will be a game changer, establishing the UK as a leading player in the global biopharmaceutical manufacturing market.

“We will build on a rich regional and national capability and create high-value jobs in a fast-growing sector to deliver life-changing and life-saving treatments to patients globally.

“At the heart of a network of UK innovators, Lakes BioScience is the company that’s going to bring to life the notion of a uniquely agile and customer-focused, large-scale biopharmaceuticals contract development and manufacturing operation in the UK.”

The company is hoping that if everything goes to plan it will be able to start work on the site this year.

Residents will get their chance to see plans and talk to representatives from Lakes BioScience at a drop-in session held at the Williams Room, at The Coach House building, in Ford Park, Ulverston, between 3pm and 7pm today and from 10am to 2pm tomorrow.

The venue, which is run as a charity, has installed a new easy-to-use Econnects Visitor Registration System in its offices and Williams Room exhibition/function suite as an extra measure to ensure the safety of its visitors due to Covid-19.

Econnects, developed by proven solutions firm Eco in collaboration with Carol Milnes of CA Events, ensures staff and visitors stay safe and that organisations are compliant with all test and trace regulations.

Registration for track and trace purposes will take place on the door and can be activated by visitors using their mobile phone to scan a QR code on an Econnects poster at the entrance.

Alternative registration arrangements will be in place for those who do not have a mobile phone.

To ensure visitor safety, social distancing will be required at all times for event and masks will be required to be worn to gain access to the Williams Room.

The flow of visitors will be managed to ensure the allowed number of people into the room at any one time.