Castleford Haribo factory expansion plans approved

The Haribo factory expansion will help protect jobs, the firm said

Confectionery giant Haribo's plans to expand its West Yorkshire factory have been approved.

The firm said the 32-acre extension at Castleford would help protect almost 700 jobs and ensure its facilities were "world class".

The plans include the construction of a warehouse next to Haribo's plant on Whitwood Common Lane off the M62.

Around 80% of Haribo sweets bought in the UK are produced at factories in Castleford and Pontefract.

A spokesperson said it demonstrated the confectioner's commitment to West Yorkshire as a "centre of excellence for food manufacturing".

The majority of Haribo sweets sold in the UK are produced in West Yorkshire

It its planning application to Wakefield Council, Haribo said the warehouse would secure the future of the 600 employees based at the site, as well as 80 jobs across its wider network of shops.

"Haribo UK has played an important role in the local area for half a century," it said.

"This application will facilitate the delivery of more orders, creating more employment and ultimately cementing Haribo's position in the district, providing skilled jobs, training opportunities and allowing Haribo to continue their innovative approach to food manufacturing."

Haribo originally got permission to open the factory in 2011 and has since invested £22m in the site.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, an overhead conveyor will connect the new warehouse to the production facility.

It is estimated the Castleford factory has the capacity to produce 48,000 tonnes of sweets every year.