Food factory plans could create more than 120 jobs
Snack bar manufacturer Wholebake sought planning permission for the new factory at its site in Corwen, Denbighshire.
Wholebake planned to build a 14,351m2 food manufacturing facility, with 10,694m2 of floor space dedicated to warehousing and production.
The plans also included a water treatment plant, car parking spaces and a building for staff wellbeing including a health and fitness centre.
In its planning statement, Wholebake said: “The existing plant is capacity constrained, there is no further room for expansion and there are serious challenges over storage space, car parking, changing facilities, staff amenities and office space.”
Generate and directly support jobs
The construction of the new factory would generate and directly support jobs in the local community, claimed the manufacturer.
“The total project contract value for this project is in the region of £14M and this will help to secure existing construction jobs based locally and create new ones,” said Wholebake.
“In what are still tough economic times, skilled jobs in the locality that will help maintain employment and provide and contribute towards the ongoing economic investment in the locality is a significant bonus.”
Its existing Corwen factory comprises a 2,400m2 unit, which will continue in production if the construction of the new facility is successful. Wholebake runs a smaller 1,000m2 plant at Wrexham and the company has a separate head office.
However, Wholebake’s plans drew criticism from some members of the public.
Plans drew criticism
People questioned the safety of site access for heavy goods vehicles, particularly on a stretch of road known for accidents.
Noise levels were a worry for some people, while others raised concerns over drainage problems in the local area if the factory were to be built.
Wholebake makes branded and own-label bakery products and in 2003 its turnover was £4M. A capital injection in 2011 has led to a £26M turnover with its aim to increase this to £40M by 2019.
Wholebake declined to comment on its plans to build the new factory.
Councillors will decide on whether or not to give the factory the go ahead on Wednesday (June 14).
Meanwhile, more than 30 jobs are to be created at a new £25M rapeseed processing plant near Stratford-upon-Avon.
