Chocolate biscuit factory expansion plans rejected

The factory has been operated in Bretton since 1982

A bid to expand a chocolate biscuit factory near Peterborough city centre has been rejected over drainage concerns.

IRCA Group applied to extend its factory in Coningsby Business Park in Bretton with an additional plant, machinery and nitrogen tank.

But Peterborough City Council refused the plans, highlighting concerns over how water would be drained from the site.

In documents published on the council's planning portal, the local authority stated it did not believe the water environment on the site would be "adequately protected".

The factory has been in operation since 1982.

IRCA Group said the expansion plans were to reflect the growth of the business but maintain the same external appearance as other units on Stirling Way.

Work on site includes production of cereal-based and baked ingredients via blending, baking, drying and coating with chocolate.

The proposed new units would have been for storing raw material goods along with food production and staff amenities.

Anglian Water objected to the plans, stating the company had not considered alternative water drainage methods.

In its submission, the firm said: "The drainage plan submitted with the application is not clear, it is does not state where in the Anglian Water [network] the surface water from the site will be connecting into and discharge rate [has] not been provided."

In her conclusions - published last week - case officer Robyn Weavers said "insufficient information" had been provided by IRCA Group to show how safe its water drainage would be.