Energy firm building new headquarters in village

But, as work to re-route traffic around Broughton via a new bypass is well underway, construction has also begun at the notorious junction which has been a headache for motorists for decades.

Workmen are building a new office block to upgrade the headquarters of an energy company. And GB Energy Supply is to double the size of its staff when the new building, which will replace out of date premises at the bottleneck crossroads of Garstang Road and Woodplumpton Lane, is ready for occupation.

Despite concern by some locals that the new block could lead to cars being parked at the roadside, plans passed by Preston City Council show the new headquarters will have more parking provision than it originally had.

One resident told the Evening Post: “Having succeeded in obtaining relief from the 20,000-plus vehicles a day, the council approved a totally inappropriate office block that has no parking facility. It can only be assumed any cars attracted to the new development will be encouraged to park half on and off the pavement.”

But the planning application, which was passed last year, actually shows the new building will have 13 car parking spaces, one more than it had before the old office and retail building was demolished.

GB Energy Supply, launched in 2008, is based in Broughton and until now has employed just six staff at its headquarters in the village, a building it shared with a hairdressing salon and an IT business.

The company says it specialises in reducing energy usage for domestic, commercial and public sector clients.