Plans for a Cumbrian engineering firm's new Penrith headquarters have been met with public opposition.
Barrnon Ltd, currently based in Appleby Business Park, have lodged an application with Eden District Council for the site on land north of Mile Lane.
The firm is looking to build an "industrial building for research and development" - this includes a "workshop, test areas, offices, exhibition space, coffee shop and an underground car park alongside site works to include gated entrances, turning heads, set-down areas and an overflow car park".
However, plans have been met with opposition from a number of consultees.
Network Rail stated their opposition to the plans saying: "There are aspirations to reopen the Keswick - Penrith railway line – currently the proposal is under consideration as part of the Restoring Your Railway – with a view taken by the government in summer 2021.
"The [...] proposal is on land that would be used for the junction and would therefore obstruct the opening of the
branch to Keswick.
Penrith Town Council, in an official response, also expressed opposition stating: "There are aspirations to reopen the Keswick - Penrith railway line – currently the proposal is under consideration as part of the Restoring Your Railway – with a view taken by the government in summer 2021.
"Penrith Town Council welcomes new businesses that bring quality jobs to the town and the area and this development is for a company that would bring high tech innovation to the area which is to be applauded.
"[However] At the present time the Penrith to Keswick Railway has been revealed as one of the 85 schemes competing for investment from the Restoring Your Railways ideas fund and the development currently sits on part of the old track bed should the reinstatement of the railway receive the funding to go ahead."
Penrith Town Council did add that they hope a revised application "can be put forward which does not compromise the potential reinstatement [of the railway] should funding be received".
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