A Perthshire poultry plant has secured planning consent for a multi-million-pound expansion which will create 250 new jobs.
The 2 Sisters Food Group announced an overhaul of its Coupar Angus site earlier this year. It followed the closure of the company’s Cambuslang complex with the loss of 450 posts.
The Scottish Government confirmed the Coupar Angus project was one of 11 schemes to be awarded a share of £3.59m from the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme.
Perth and Kinross Council officers have given the go-ahead to the extension of the George Street factory. The work involves an extra processing area and two loading dock bays.
Planning officer Joanna Ferguson confirmed in her report that no objections had been received.
“No detailed information has been provided by the applicant to indicate the proposed hours of operation for the loading bays, or any noise mitigation measures that will be implemented,” she said. “The site is however regulated by SEPA and therefore there are conditions in place to control noise and odour.”
In recent years, SEPA has investigated complaints about strong smells from the factory.
In 2016, the watchdog issued Two Sisters with a final warning. This followed a site visit by Sepa officers who found noticeable offensive odours outwith the site boundary.
A SEPA spokesman stated: “Within the Pollution Prevention Control Permit there is a condition which stipulates that the site must have a ‘Noise Management Plan’ and undertake a ‘systematic assessment of noise and vibration emissions’ at least every two years.”
Two Sister is investing £3.5m into the project, with £1.4m from the Scottish Government.
Bosses said they want to develop more efficient, shorter supply chains which will ultimately cut down on food waste, as well as logistical and distribution costs.
Managing director Keith Packer said the investment will secure the site’s long-term future.
“We have always said we will invest when it is the right thing to do for the business, but the timing and conditions have to be right.
“This is a great example of that.”
Employment will be created across a range of levels and departments, ranging from production operatives to technical management.
