Independent Oilfield Services (IOS) has secured planning permission to develop a further 30 acres of its 80 acre supply base at the former Longside airfield to create secure warehouse facilities for the oil and gas and renewables industry.

Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan area planning committee unanimously approved three linked planning applications allowing IOS to revamp the site.

The firm, which also has an office in Aberdeen’s Golden Square, currently uses 30 acres of the site for pipe storage and inspection services. The planning permission is for one 60,000 sq ft warehouse and a further two 30,000 sq ft warehouses, including office accommodation, car parking for around 60 vehicles and yard space.

The multi million pound development will add secure warehousing to the facility to meet customer demand. There are currently 40 members of staff based at Peterhead working for IOS and new jobs are in the pipeline during and after the construction phase.

The firm is currently in discussions with a construction firm and work on the warehouse facilities is set to commence in the third quarter of 2015 with completion estimated for the second quarter of 2016.

Symon Wadsworth, finance director for IOS, said: “Securing planning permission for the redevelopment of the vast storage and inspection facility at Peterhead is an excellent opportunity for the business, local area and industry.

“We feel there is sufficient demand for both internal and external storage facilities in the Peterhead area to compliment the excellent and growing port facilities.

“The planning permission which has been granted will allow us to increase the services we can offer both current and potential clients with not only storage but also additional complimentary tubular services, as we look to offer more cost effective solutions in this difficult market.”

IOS also has a further 20 acres at the Peterhead site which could still be developed as the business grows to introduce complimentary services to clients.

With plans to expand the independent business and further enhance its offering, IOS is set to create a number of local job opportunities in the coming months.