MPs back baby milk firm's expansion plan

Nutricare wants to expand its site in Kendal

A company that makes baby milk formula may have to relocate if planners do not approve its proposals for a new building, an MP says.

Cumbrian firm Kendal Nutricare wants to build a 41-metre tall unit to house a spray drier.

But members of South Lakeland’s planning committee are being recommended to refuse the scheme on the Lake District Business Park because it would dominate the north Kendal skyline.

Two local MPs – John Stevenson and Tim Farron – have written letters of support for the plans.

Nutricare says its current spray drier is a bottleneck in its production process and a new facility would allow it to triple its production, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But planning officers have recommended the application for refusal, claiming "the applicant could achieve increased production with a lower height spray dryer”.

'Food security'

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said: “As this application is, effectively, a crucial part of expansion plans it may help add another 50 jobs.

"Should this application be turned down, however, I fear that Kendal Nutricare may be forced into considering relocation.”

In his letter, Conservative MP John Stevenson said: “As a business of national strategic importance and the sole manufacturer of infant formula in the United Kingdom – an essential, sole food source for newborn infants – I believe this development is of critical importance to the Kendal community, UK dairy farmers, national food security and the broader UK economy.”

South Lakeland local area planning committee will meet to consider the plans on Thursday 11 April at Kendal Town Hall.