Burger King supplier’s Green Belt factory expansion plans given green light

Expansion plans for a factory which produces meat for supermarkets and fast food chains have been approved, despite concerns over green belt land.
The Dovecote Park site at Stapleton, near Pontefract, will increase in size by 9,950 sg ft.
North Yorkshire Council passed the scheme despite planning officers saying it had to meet “very special circumstances”.
The firm makes products for Burger King, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.
BBC News reported that councillors were told the proposed development site was in open countryside and not allocated as an employment or development site in the Local Plan.
However, officers added the proposal would not have any adverse impact on the landscape, that the site was hidden from view and working hours would be restricted to protect nearby residents.
The meeting heard officers had concluded the firm’s explanation of its need to operate more efficiently outweighed the harm to the green belt, partly because the firm employed hundreds of people and its importance to the local economy.
In its application, Dovecote Park stated the extension was required to be in operation by Christmas.