Shropshire transport firm in bid to expand headquarters
One of Shropshire's largest transport firms is seeking permission to expand its county headquarters.
Bosses of Edwards Transport, based at Hinstock, near Market Drayton, say they need to be able to deal with an increase in business from Ireland.
The company, which runs a fleet of 45 vehicles, wants permission to build a replacement chilled warehouse, two storey office block and a car park.
Bosses also want to add solar panel to the roofs.
Leigh Brown, head of warehousing and logistics at the site, said: "We are going to be seeing a huge increase in product so need to replace the two smaller warehouses with one larger one.
"We would also like to have solar panels installed to help with power costs.
"We will probably take on two new members of staff as well due to the expansion. It is something that is really needed and needs to be done and dusted as soon as possible."
The family-run company has run a transport and storage operation at Ferneydale, Hinstock, for 40 years.
It began as a one-man operation but has grown
Plans for a new chill store and offices at a transport company near Market Drayton have been submitted to Shropshire Council.
Edwards Transport has operated an established transport and storage facility at Ferneydale, Hinstock, for 40 years.
The expansion of the company has proved to be very successful, as it originally started as a one man operation and has grown to the medium sized distribution company that it is today.
The company is a significant local employer, operating a fleet of 45 vehicles within the food storage and distribution sectors.
Bosses now want build a replacement chiller store with plant unit which they say will be significantly more efficient and quieter in operation than the existing plant.
Leigh Brown, head of warehousing and logistics, said the main reason for building a replacement warehouse was they expect a greater amount of product to be imported from Ireland this year.
He said: "We are going to be seeing a huge increase of product so need to replace the two smaller warehouses with one larger one.
"We would also like to have solar panels installed to help with power costs.
"We will probably take on two new members of staff as well due to the expansion. It is something that is really needed and needs to be done and dusted as soon as possible."
The buildings the company wish to demolish are up to 37 years old and rapidly approaching the end of their viable life.
The proposals also include a two storey office block and formation of a car park.
Edwards Transport plan to reduce dependence on the National Grid and also to improve the sustainability of the business so the application includes the provision of solar panel arrays on the roofs of the proposed chill store extension and the offices.
Power generated by the solar arrays will be used directly on site with surplus being exported to the National Grid under Feed in Tariff arrangements.
Designers say the application will maintain countryside vitality by enabling the business to continue to provide local employment which will improve the sustainability of the local economy.
Officials hope the sustainability of the business will be enhanced by these proposals with improved standards of insulation and new chiller plant leading to significant reductions in energy consumption and noise levels.
They say the impact of this proposal on the surrounding countryside is minimal in terms of visual impact, highways impact and impact on nearby residential amenity.
Consultation into the plans have now begun, to make a comment on the proposal go to http://planningpa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications/
