PIRELLI is poised to create about 40 jobs with two significant expansions at its Carlisle factory.

The international tyre giant has secured planning permission for one scheme to build onto its Dalston Road plant - with a second in the pipeline.

News of go-ahead for the first development has been hailed as “the best in a generation” by city MP John Stevenson.

And it has emerged in the same week as it was announced that Prince Charles will visit the factory - which employs about 1,000 people - next month as part of events to mark its 50th anniversary.

Economic experts will undoubtedly see the potential for huge investment in the site as another shot in the arm for the area’s economy even amid the uncertainty caused by Brexit.

Pirelli has not commented on the precise detail and timescales of its new developments.

However, Carlisle City Council has approved the plans for a 2,510 square metre expansion to its manufacturing site.

Papers submitted with the planning application state that will bring an extra 20 full-time jobs to the factory.

The development would feed into an exciting mix of projects which could prove critical in dictating the future financial fortunes of north Cumbria, with the area expected to be among the big winners through the Government-backed Borderlands vision, estimated to have the power of luring in excess of £1bn-worth of investment to the wider region.

Mr Stevenson said: “Honestly, I think it is an exciting time for Carlisle.

“It is the best investment growth into the city for a generation.

“It is off the back off the news of the Southern Link Road, Borderlands, the recent investment from central Government and the airport it is really positive news around Carlisle, which is terrific.

“It shows the growing confidence businesses have in Carlisle. It is welcome news, it shows Pirelli are wanting to invest - securing existing employees and creating new ones, which is really welcome news.”

The application was approved by city planners last week.

Meanwhile, Pirelli has tabled a new planning application to the city council for another expansion of a building on the site.

If approved, that scheme would see a further 7,157 square metres of floorspace added to that building - and lead to the creation of an extra 17 full-time jobs, the planning application states.

The Borderlands vision - backed by £345m of Westminster and Scottish government cash - could see lead to work to transform Carlisle’s railway station and the historic Citadel nearby, among other major projects.

That adds to a huge growth agenda which includes the construction of the 10,000-home St Cuthbert’s Garden Village and the £112m Southern Relief Road.

There is also huge jobs potential in the Kingmoor Park Enterprise Zone in the north of the city.

Explaining why he believes the hopes for growth have accelerated so quickly, Mr Stevenson said: “There has been a considerable amount of hard work by the council working with the MP, working with government, to bring in the investment to the city and improve awareness that Carlisle is a great place to do business.

“It has a skilled workforce, it’s in a good location, a low cost of living.

“Businesses are now realising it is a great place to do business.

“What we need to do is attract more (businesses) to the city. It is a really exciting time for the city.”

Mr Stevenson added: “ We are starting to see confidence and a desire to investment in the city from central government, which we haven’t seen in the past. The government now have faith in Carlisle and they are working to invest in the city.

Pirelli opened in 1969 and its tyres are supplied to Jaguar/Land Rover, Volkswagen/Audi, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and Maserati.

Prince Charles will visit the plant as part of a tour of Cumbria - widely known as one of his favourite counties - on April 8.

The day will also see him officially open the new £20m Windermere Jetty Museum, visit Hawkshead Relish and meet members of the Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team.