British Sugar submits application to build expanded office facility

According to documents available on the West Suffolk Council portal, UK sugar beet processor British Sugar submitted the application last month (August 2023) in which the firm outlined plans to demolish its existing one-storey office building in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

The proposal then details British Sugar’s desire to construct a new two-storey office facility on the site of the current block. The application was validated on 8 September 2023 and is now pending consideration.

In the proposal, British Sugar states that the existing building was initially designed as a “temporary solution​” that is now “beyond its viable useable life and is unviable to retain​”.

“The building is poorly insulated and therefore not energy efficient​,” the application continued.

The package of forms submitted includes a series of environmental declarations and 3D projections of the planned facility.

"The proposals seek to create a positive change for British Sugar in terms of staff facilities and also indicates British Sugar's ongoing commitment as a business based in Bury St Edmunds,” ​the application added.

British Sugar pleased with plans for 'modern office'

British Sugar has been producing sugar in Bury St Edmunds since 1924, having been founded in 1912. It works in partnership with more 2,300 growers and produces approximately 1.2m tonnes of sugar every year.

Bury St Edmunds is one of four sites where the manufacturer operates, with facilities also located in Newark, Wissington and Cantley.

Speaking to Food Manufacture, Bury St Edmunds site general manager Andy Simms said that the firm was "pleased​" to have made the application to develop a "modern office​" for its employees.

"This will replace portacabins which are 40 years old and have now reached the end of their life​," Simms added.

"The new building will be in the same place as the existing offices, and will house our reception, meeting rooms and staff welfare facilities. We are proud that the building will be thermally efficient, with air source heat pumps providing hot water and heating, as well as solar panels installed on the roof. We look forward to learning the outcome of our planning application in the autumn​.”

In other news, more than 50 jobs have been saved at Jacksons the Bakers after it was rescued from administration​​.