Market Drayton sawmill extension plans approved
New jobs are set to be created after plans to expand a sawmill business were given the go ahead.
Market Drayton-based Hales Sawmills has been granted planning permission by Shropshire Council to expand to meet demand, potentially creating 12 new jobs.
In 2015 work was completed on the new £5 million sawmill at Adderley Road Industrial Park,Western Way.
Hales Sawmills had outgrown its existing premises and required a new site to meet the demand from its growing customer base and to support the company’s future growth plans.
Now bosses want to expand further and create a new workshop and another biomass building to provide sustainable heat for the new and existing buildings. The biomass machine will be fed through site generated wood chippings.
The family-run business, now into its third generation, has been running since 1982.
No comments were received by Shropshire Council from Adderley Parish Council or members of the public during consultation into the plans.
A report by Shropshire Council case officer Karen Townend states: "The proposed buildings to provide a new workshop and second biomass boiler and storage building are considered to be acceptable as an addition to the previously approved saw mill development which has commenced on site.
"The buildings are considered to be appropriately positioned, of a similar scale, design and external appearance to the existing buildings and will not have any greater impact on the character of the area.
"Furthermore, the information provided on the boiler operation and flues and the extension to the existing site bund and acoustic fencing has satisfied the requirement of the council public protection team and as such confirmed that the proposed development will not have a detrimental impact on the amenities of neighbouring land users, including residential properties and the canal."
Julian Parton, managing director of Hales Sawmills, said the extension would allow them to manufacture wooden gates and more acoustic barriers.
“We are enhancing our range of new acoustic products all the time to deal with the problem everyone has with noise," he said.
“The workforce at Western Way at the moment is 29 people. When this project is complete we are looking to relocate 17 staff from our other site at Hales and then increase the workforce by 12 new employees.”
Planning documents in support of the application state: “Hales have established themselves with their new facility and are now seeking to complete more of the development.
“Access to the site is as previously permitted."
