A NATIONALLY renowned clock company near Penrith has decided the time is right for expansion after being given the go-ahead by planners to move to a larger premises.

The Cumbria Clock company, which has maintained and repaired some of the most famous clocks in the country, including Big Ben, has been granted permission to convert the former Stoneraise Quarry buildings into a larger workshop complex.

Westmorland and Furness Council gave the green light to the application, which would see the illustrious company move from its current site at Dacre, southwest of Penrith, to the former quarry at Great Salkeld, three miles northeast of the town.

The granting of the application will see a full change of use and alterations to the former quarry buildings  to horology use with associated offices and staff facilities.

The site currently consists of four interconnected workshop buildings finished in green corrugated iron, that were formally used for the preparation of stone from the quarry.

The planner's summary of the proposal says the existing open plan buildings will 'be refurbished and re-configured' to provide workshops, a loading bay, reception, staff room, toilets and shower facilities at ground floor.

The first floor will see further store rooms, an electrics and plant room, an archive store, board room and an office.

Improvements to the exterior will see re-cladding of the buildings, a new staff and visitor entrance with glazed windows and doors, and a replacement roller shutter door.

The council's statement outlined the principle of the proposal.

It said: "The company is one of two specialist clock repair/refurbishment/maintenance companies in the country.

"They have worked on the smallest church or village hall clocks to large clocks including Salisbury Cathedral, Durham Cathedral, Hampton Court Palace, Royal Liver Building, and Big Ben."

About the proposal itself, it says: "Although the buildings are not traditional, they are of an appropriate design and form for the location, and capable of being re-used for the proposed commercial purposes."

An additional ten jobs will be created by the company's expansion, adding to the 24 current employees.

The statement says: "The proposed development would enable the growth and expansion of an existing business located within a relatively rural area.

"This is supported by both National and Local Planning Policy and therefore the principle of the proposed development is considered acceptable."