M-Sport gets High Court permission to expand Cockermouth workshop

A rally car team has been given permission to expand its site in Cumbria.

M-Sport had already received planning permission but its application for a new workshop, testing track and hotel at Dovenby Hall near Cockermouth was referred to the High Court by local objectors.

A judge has now ruled the planning permission is valid.

The firm said it would safeguard 200 jobs and create a further 100 posts.

The £19m plan includes, external a 1.5 mile long (2.5km) testing track, 60-bed hotel, 25 homes and new offices and workshops.

One of the main concerns raised by objectors was an increase in noise, but M-Sport said measures would be taken to keep sound at an acceptable level.

Malcolm Wilson, managing director at M-Sport, said: "After a delay of more than eight months, it's heartening that we can now move ahead with the development."