Dovecote Park, a key supplier to Burger King and other renowned food establishments, is seeking permission from the North Yorkshire Council to expand its factory onto green belt land. The proposed expansion aims to accommodate the growth requirements of the company, specifically the need for extensions to the despatch chiller and dry aged chiller. Green belts, which cover more than 12% of the UK, are designated areas of preserved countryside that prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open.
The responsibility of maintaining and defining green belt areas lies with local governments, in this case, the North Yorkshire Council. Deliberations on the application are set to take place tomorrow (11 July). Consulting firm RPS, in its planning statement to the council, emphasized that the project will have minimal impact on the openness of the Green Belt and will not compromise its purpose. The report concluded that the circumstances of this case outweigh any potential harm to the Green Belt.
Moving on to the implications of the expansion, the current chillers are situated in Stapleton, North Yorkshire, where Dovecote Park’s primary operations are based. The company argues that these facilities no longer meet its requirements and need to be extended onto green belt land. The proposed development is projected to create six additional jobs, ensuring job security for existing employees.
Dovecote Park, founded in 1997, operates across two facilities in Stapleton and a plant in Lincolnshire, employing a total of 700 people. Specializing in beef, veal, and venison, the company supplies Waitrose supermarkets and several renowned restaurants, including Burger King and Gourmet Burger Kitchen.
It is worth noting that members of the food and drink industry have recently expressed their satisfaction with the acquisition of Plant & Bean facilities, following the plant-based manufacturer’s unfortunate administration.
Overall, Dovecote Park’s application for expansion onto green belt land aims to address its evolving operational needs. The company’s commitment to job creation and the preservation of existing positions underscores the positive impact of this development. Tomorrow’s deliberations by the North Yorkshire Council will determine the fate of the proposal.
