A major factory expansion proposed for an Eden village could secure 350 jobs at the site.
This is the claim of bakery firms Bells of Lazonby Ltd, which has submitted two planning applications to Westmorland and Furness Council in connection with the scheme.
One, for the demolition of existing buildings and a flour silo and the erection of replacement and new extensions at the Edenholme Bakery in Lazonby, would have comparatively minor impact and is something of a “tidying up” exercise.
The other proposal, however, would see extension of the main bakery building, extension of a gluten free bakery building, erection of a storage building and reconfiguration of an internal access road and car parking area.
The development would be largely on a green field site on the western edge of the existing factory and so masked from much of the village, although it would be visible to some nearby residents.
According to Addis Town Planning, which is acting as agent for Bells, it would be carried out in three phases, with the proposed buildings of similar scale and massing to the existing ones. They would have the appearance of commercial sheds similar to modern agricultural buildings seen throughout the district.
According to Tim Conder, managing director of Bells, if successful the application would support the long term development of the business in Lazonby.
He said: “After strong growth in the last few years, we want to provide a sustainable platform for the business for the long term here within Lazonby and this application would provide that. We are committed to minimising the visual aspect of any development on the village.
“The proposed developments are behind our current buildings when facing the bakeries from either the village or the railway line and use the natural topography of the land to minimise the visual impact.
“A vast majority of our storage is currently off-site and this application would enable us to provide more of that on-site, with the aim of reducing the comings and goings of goods vehicles in and out of the village. We would also be able to improve the efficiency of our production flows as part of this application.”
Some people have voiced objections to the plan, citing reasons such as its impact on the environment, large scale which they feel is out of place in a village like Lazonby and the modern design of the proposed new buildings.
However, many others feel it would be good news for Lazonby, with jobs secured and fewer HGV movements in the village. They also say the proposed site is a very ordinary field with little environmental value.
The application is to be discussed by Lazonby Parish Council at its meeting on 7th February.
