Dovecote Park meat factory to expand despite green belt concerns

Expansion plans for a factory which produces meat for supermarkets and fast food chains have been approved, despite concerns over green belt land.

The Dovecote Park site at Stapleton, near Pontefract, will increase in size by 9,950 sg ft (924 sq m).

North Yorkshire Council passed the scheme despite planning officers saying it had to meet "very special circumstances".

The firm makes products for Burger King, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, councillors were told the proposed development site was in open countryside and not allocated as an employment or development site in the Local Plan.

However, officers added the proposal would not have any adverse impact on the landscape, that the site was hidden from view and working hours would be restricted to protect nearby residents.

The meeting heard officers had concluded the firm's explanation of its need to operate more efficiently outweighed the harm to the green belt, partly because the firm employed hundreds of people and its importance to the local economy.

In its application, Dovecote Park stated the extension was required to be in operation by Christmas "to respond to the additional volume required for customers".

Councillors questioned the justifications for extending the factory and whether successive expansions to the site over the years had been taken into account.

Councillor Bob Packham said: "Realistically, what we have here is a large industrial complex."

Despite the committee's concerns they unanimously approved the development as the proposal would save the firm from building elsewhere and food producing facilities were needed to increase the country's food security.

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