A chemical facility in Widnes could be expanded if new plans are given the go ahead.
Croda Europe has submitted a planning application to demolish part of its site at Foundry Lane and build a larger, newer facility. The company employs 120 staff and manufactures and distributes specialised chemicals which are used in industries such as agriculture and healthcare.
The building planned for demolition is a 775 sq m raw material storage warehouse, but the company wants to build a new structure almost double the size at 1,535 sq m. The existing factory is a red brick industrial shed with a corrugated metal pitched roof. There is a corrugated metal tower at the centre of the proposed demolished element.
The proposed factory would be one-storey with a height of 12.6m. A planning document submitted to Halton Borough Council in support of the application, said the materials for the new site would consist of corrugated metal cladding with added roof lights with a UV coating to the interior.
The planning documents said the site would be accessed via the existing vehicular access off Foundry Lane. It added: "The proposed building is not equipped with parking, as the site has existing parking spaces.
"The factory will have four roller shutters and six doors, as well as an outdoor escape stairs."
Yorkshire-based Croda is a global speciality chemical manufacturer with sites around the UK, including at Techspace One in Daresbury.
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