GCB Cocoa in Glemsford. Pictured from left: Chris Starkie, of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership; South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge; Khai Vualnam, of GCB Cocoa; and Cllr Michael Holt, of Babergh District Council. Contributed picture
A fresh start for one of south Suffolk's biggest industrial sites has been green-lit, with more than 300 jobs created, after plans for a £90million chocolate manufacturing plant cleared the final hurdle.
Chocolate maker GCB Cocoa secured final planning permission on Thursday, for a new factory in Glemsford, at the premises formerly occupied by Philips Avent.
The planning approval from Babergh's chief planning officer will enable a vast programme of demolition and conversion works to re-purpose the site in Lower Road, to establish a production line that serves the UK confectionary market.
A total of 370 permanent jobs will be created at the factory, in a significant boost to the local employment landscape, according to GCB, which acquired the premises from Philips in a reported £8.25 million deal last year.
Cllr Michael Holt, Babergh District Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to work with GCB to secure the necessary planning conditions and obligations and ensure that the Glemsford site remains a key employment location.
"Today’s green light signals the start of new era of multi-million pound investment and job creation for the local area, representing significant investment in Babergh and a major boost to our local economy.”
Published by the Suffolk Free Press.
