PLANS for a new building at a Warrington employer – increasing the size of the workforce in the process – have hit a stumbling block.

Plans were submitted to Warrington Borough Council in September for a new outbuilding at the Plastic Omnium site at Omega.

The proposal was for a temporary, ancillary storage building on existing hardstanding on land off the business’ Orion Boulevard location.

But council planners have refused permission, raising concerns over the potential impact on the road network.

Plastic Omnium is a manufacturer of external plastic elements for cars such as bumpers, energy absorption systems, fender and front-end modules.

The company also provides tank systems, road signage, waste storage systems and wheelie bins, and has approximately 31,000 employees across the world.

Planning documents stated: “The company currently employs 300 full-time members of staff on the premises, with the application resulting in an increase of 10 members of staff.

“The proposed hours of operation will mirror the existing 24-hour operation on the site.

“The building is required for a temporary period of 10 years to allow the company to increase stock and address customer demand.”

It would be built on land to the rear and east of the existing main premises on land previously occupied by external storage on the goods yard.

“The building will make better use of this underutilised land within the Plastic Omnium premises by providing a dry, secure environment for the loading and unloading of goods,” the firm said.

“The building will lead to an increase of 10 full-time employees, however these movements are spread across a 24-hour period.

“As such, there will only be a negligible increase in traffic movements. There is also no material change in HGV movements as a result of the proposals.”

Documents concluded: “The design, layout and accessibility of the proposed building is appropriate in this location.”

In refusing permission, the council said: “It has not been demonstrated that the proposed works would not be detrimental to HGV movements or parking within the facility.

“Nor has it been demonstrated that they have any potential impact on the wider highway network.”