Plans have been submitted to replace a 'potentially hazardous' roof at the Swallowfields site in Wellington.

The cons emetics manufacturer is one of the town's largest employers, with around 300 workers at its Station Road site.

But the firm's administrative centre, which is adjacent to the factory building has a potentially hazardous roof, which they are seeking permission to replace.

Acting on behalf of Swallowfields, Midlands-based building firm Allen Construction Consultancy wrote to planners seeking to persuade them that the existing asbestos sheet roof should be replaced with an insulated metal covering - and asked for associated works to be given the go ahead on the factory roof.

In a statement submitted to Somerset Council, Allen Construction Consultancy said: "The design is to replace the existing asbestos profile roof sheets with insulated profiled metal covering, on the current roof purlins.

"This is to meet modern insulation standards, removing both a potential hazardous material, improving energy efficiency, appearance, maintenance and longevity of the roof structure and overall building.

"The existing site offers good off-street parking for any works vehicles and access arrangements will not be affected by the proposed works. The Works contractors will ensure careful location of cabins and a Traffic Management Plan to mitigate and disruption during the course of the works."

After being submitted this month, the proposals for the grade II admin centre building should be decided on within eight weeks.

In a separate application submitted at the same time, the company has sought permission to install solar panels and bird netting to the factory roof. Allen Construction said the measures : "Will have resultant saving in terms of energy consumption and reduction in carbon impact of the site, in line with the sustainability targets of both the site owners and the council climate change agenda."

They added that the array would not extend for more than a metre above the existing roof height.