A MASSIVE portable hotel is set to make its way to south Cumbria after winning the backing of councillors.

The proposal for a 240-bedroom containerised worker accommodation and social space was given the green light at a meeting of Barrow Borough Council's planning committee at Barrow Town Hall yesterday.

Snoozebox aims to provide budget accommodation for the influx of contractors set to arrive in the area to work on the Successor submarine programme at Barrow shipyard,

Councillor John Murphy told the meeting that the granting of the portable accommodation was a sign of a promising future for Barrow.

He said: "It is nice to see that the activity is now starting and it promises a great future for Barrow and I think we should celebrate this."

The application was put forward by Snoozebox Holdings Ltd. The company has also set up facilities at major events such as the Moto GP and at Glastonbury Music Festival.

Each living space of the hotel, at Woodbridge Haven, in Cavendish Dock Road, will be equipped with individual bedrooms containing an en-suite wet room with shower, basin and toilet, and would be serviced by staff.

The rooms will also have access to Wi-Fi services, TV and air-conditioning.

Bill McEwan, borough councillor for Ormsgill, said: "I thoroughly welcome it to the town. I was a contractor myself and I have lived in different towns and stayed in similar types of accommodation, although not as good as this will be.

"It is absolutely ideal and it gives others the chance to have a great start in the town."

Members of the planning committee accepted the planning officer's recommendation to grant the plans, on condition that a travel plan can be put in place for a shuttle bus system for contractors and workers that use the accommodation.

No clear date has been given yet on when work will start, but the temporary lease of the site is for 10 years.