News

New factory plans for former McCains site creates potential for 250 jobs

By Gwen Ridler

- Last updated on GMT

Pictured: An artist's rendition of what the proposed new factory would look like
Pictured: An artist's rendition of what the proposed new factory would look like

Related tags factory design & Maintenance Planning

Up to 250 new jobs could be created if proposals for a new food factory on the site of the former McCains facility in Grantham, Lincolnshire go through.

The plans include the development of a new food factory on the site of the former McCain production facility which will seek to replace the jobs lost when the former left the site in 2020, when 230 roles were made redundant.

Sadel has also planned to build and anaerobic digestion plant in an effort to future proof the site’s energy requirements, as well as the upgrading of the existing waste-water treatment facility which will enable the current footprint of the facility to be significantly reduced.

Recent activity to the south of the site has seen Magnavale upgrade existing temperature-controlled storage – formerly owned by XPO – and the construction of a new full automated cold storage facility due for completion in 2024.

Reducing food miles

The new building is anticipated to be 18 metres tall with a footprint of 20,000m2 ​and will operate alongside the cold store for the storage of both raw materials and final product – a move Sadel said would help reduce food miles and vehicle movements.

Subject to receiving the necessary planning consents the development of the anaerobic digestion plant – following ‘further detailed design’ – is expected to start late 2024/early 2025. The development of the food manufacturing facility would be subject to the same process, with construction likely to commence in 2025.

Sadel is asking people to provide feedback up to Friday 21 July. Once the planning applications are submitted to South Kesteven Council and Lincolnshire County Council, there will be further opportunity to view the final proposals and provide feedback via both council planning portals as part of the formal consultation undertaken by the local planning authorities.

Attracting food manufacturers

The proposed investment plans seek to attract a new food producer to the site by creating modern, according to local publication Grantham Journal.

“The proposals would create new jobs including apprenticeships and training opportunities and seek to replace the jobs that were lost when McCains left the site last year,”​ they added.

Meanwhile, meat processor Dovecote Park is hoping to gain permission to expand two of its Yorkshire-based chilling facilities​ onto green belt land.

Related topics Chilled foods Frozen Operations

Related news

Show more

1 comment

Sadel

Posted by Howard Garbutt,

" Subject to same process with construction likely to start 2025" This is exactly the problem that benights the UK. Everything takes so long because of restrictive planning. I had the same problem when building a digester despite the excellent environment credentials

Report abuse

Follow us

Featured Jobs

View more

Webinars

Food Manufacture Podcast

Listen to the Food Manufacture podcast