A flagship company's £40 million cutting-edge production plant and research centre has taken a major step forward.

Perspex International Ltd is pressing ahead with creating the manufacturing and development hub at its Chapels Park site in Darwen.

The firm has submitted a planning application for the scheme - the latest investment in eco-friendly technology by the historic firm's Swiss owners which it hopes will secure more than 200 jobs and create new ones in the longer term.

In September 2022 the company warned that high energy prices have put 74 jobs at risk because of their impact on the manufacture of cast acrylic sheets.

But now Perspex International - which historically has had two production sites in Darwen and a distribution centre in Blackburn's Walker Park - has confirmed its plans to invest in the centralisation of manufacturing with the application for the £40m expansion at Chapels Park.

The new investment is supported by the government and council's £100m Darwen Town Deal.

The extension to the existing Chapels Park site would allow the firm – which has a long history in the town – to streamline its processes, dramatically reducing CO2 emissions and water consumption.

The investment will also help safeguard jobs in the town while helping to create new ones.

If the plans for the new Polymerisation Hall and Energy Centre are approved, the extension would pave the way for Perspex International to centralise all its local operations to just one location.

The planning application is for a 1,240 square metre complex at the site accessed off Goose House Lane.

The full manufacturing side of the businesses has already moved there and, as part of the centralisation, the Orchard Mill site on the A666 would be sold for re-development

The firm's operations director, Bryan Welch, said: “Perspex International has a long and rich history in Darwen – one that we want to build upon and continue to develop.

“Perspex first came to the town during the Second World War as it was seen as a safe place for the plant which was manufacturing Spitfire canopies.

“Perspex acrylic has been a leading brand in plastic since the 1930s and Darwen is the only production site for Perspex across the whole of the UK.

“This major new investment demonstrates our commitment to the town, it will allow us to modernise and streamline the way we work and allow us to become much greener – reducing CO2 emissions and water consumption, something we are passionate about.”

Chair of the Town Deal Board, Wayne Wild, said: “Perspex International has strong historical ties to the town, being a major employer here for decades.

“The Town Deal Board was keen to support the planned new investment to help safeguard jobs and create new opportunities and it’s a fantastic step forward to see this planning application submitted today."

Cllr Phil Riley, the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, added: “We took the £25m of government Town Deal funding and we’ve worked incredibly hard to leverage major investment for the town, including these impressive proposals for the future of Perspex International.

“In total, we’re looking at more than £100m of new investment for the town – that’s more than any of us have seen in our lifetimes."