One of Yeovil’s main employers is planning to create a “logistics centre” for its operations by demolishing and rebuilding one of its existing warehouses.

Leonardo has applied to demolish one of its buildings off West Hendford, near the Fosse Park residential development and near the town’s McDonalds.

The building – known technically as Building 166 – will be replaced by a new logistics and distribution centre, allowing it to consolidate its business activity.

South Somerset District Council’s area south committee (which decides major planning applications for Yeovil) will vote on the plans on Wednesday (July 1).

The new centre will have a total floorspace of nearly 20,000 sq m, and the building will include offices alongside the warehouse.

A spokesman for Leonardo said: “The development aims to consolidate existing Kuhne + Nagel (K&N) and Leonardo Helicopters logistics operations stores that are currently occupied within the Yeovil area.

“Logistics centre buildings of this nature are hubs for businesses to receive and store goods from suppliers.

“This location is ideal, with the adjacent links directly onto the A37, A3088 and A303.

“Due to the nature of the operation, 24-hour use is anticipated, to provide flexibility and efficiency. This allows the HGV traffic to be spread evenly, avoiding concentrated movements at peak hours.”

The existing access from West Hendford will be maintained with the same number of car parking and cycle spaces at the rear.

Linda Hayden, the council’s planning officer, said the existing building had been in need of upgrading for many years, and the new structure would be more energy-efficient.

She said: “The site is situated within the defined development area of Yeovil and proposes the replacement of an existing commercial building to provide a centralised warehouse for the business.

“It is understood that the current building is in need of refurbishment being of some age, not energy-efficient and not suitable for conversion into a modern logistics centre.

“Given the existing building and use at the site, it is considered that the replacement building is acceptable in principle.”

The council’s area south committee will meet virtually to discuss the plans on Wednesday (July 1) from 2pm. The meeting will be live-streamed via the council’s YouTube channel.