A chemicals factory is seeking a new warehouse as part of its plans to expand.

Blackburn Chemicals Ltd, in Cunliffe Road on the town's Whitebirk Industrial Estate, needs the space to boost its capacity.

The firm has applied for planning permission for the proposed warehouse extension to an existing industrial unit and the erection of two silos for storage.

A supporting statement with the application to Blackburn with Darwen Council says: "The site is located off Cunliffe Road, on the northern boundary of the Whitebirk Industrial Estate in Blackburn.

"The site is owned and operated by the applicant Blackburn Chemicals.

"It is intended that this application will provide additional manufacturing facilities for Blackburn Chemicals.

"The site currently comprises of an industrial unit linking and on-site parking facilities which will be relocated as part of the application.

"The application proposes the extension to the industrial unit to accommodate the growing business with additional storage space and planting equipment.

"Blackburn Chemicals operates a successful chemical manufacturing business on the current and adjacent site and has an established business need for extended premises to store the additional materials for distribution.

"The proposed works are in line with their existing manufacturing processes.

"The additional floor space formed within the proposed development is approximately 540 square metres.

"The warehouse extension is located to the southwest of the existing unit, partially set back from the southern edge of the site to help minimise any disruptions to the existing drainage layout.

"This location maximises the space available for secure circulation and storage; and facilitates the reuse of the existing effluent tank and the lean-to service building, minimising any disruptions to the current operations.

"The external envelope of the warehouse extension will be finished in vertical trapezoidal cladding to create a cohesive appearance to the adjacent buildings along Cunliffe Road.

"Sectional and personnel doors will be in steel frames.

"The scale of the proposed extension is dictated by the existing warehouse.

"The proposed building footprint is in line with the surrounding properties and is in keeping

the area.

"The existing vehicle access from Croft Head Road and Cunliffe Road will be retained.

"The development will not impact the existing vehicular movement through the site.

"The parking arrangements will be reinstated on site with 18 car parking spaces to the North-West of the site to ensure that there is no undue loss of on-site parking facilities."