Uttoxeter's workforce is set for a huge boost after planners gave the green light for JCB to expand a major factory near town. The development of two new car parks will allow the existing parking facility to be redeveloped into new delivery and dispatch areas.

This will allow Uttoxeter's biggest employer to plough on with plans to employ hundreds of new workers in the next three years.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council approved JCB's applications at a recent planning meeting. The new car parks will create hundreds of staff parking spaces at JCB Earthmovers and JCB Compact Products, in Cheadle.

Company bosses say this will allow them to follow through plans to create more jobs in the coming years.

A JCB spokesman said: "We are delighted the plans have been approved as it helps to ensure that JCB's Cheadle factories can grow and generate more employment in the local area. A lot of thought has gone into the plans, particularly on landscaping, to minimise any impact on our neighbours."

The new delivery and dispatch zones will include a dedicated holding area for big vehicles, a proposed machine dispatch yard and separate machine storage areas.

A perimeter road will run around the Earthmovers building in a circular route and attenuation ponds will be built.

Despite the good news for jobs, the application raised controversy when neighbouring farmer Jonathan Poultney said the company did not own all the land on the application plan.

Objecting to the proposals Mr Poultney said: "Me and my family are against this. It is near to our house and cars will be leaving day and night. The lighting is not acceptable and where will all the water go? Livestock will also be frightened and water overflows into the farm yard.

"There are a number of issues regarding the plan. The company does not own all the land on the site. It states that the ownership is all theirs. This is not true. There is a need to go back and look at the deeds."

A report to councillors, by operational manager Ben Haywood, said that the application currently under consideration was the first phase of a two-phase development.

A report to councillors read: "In terms of employment, the business plan forecasts that the growth in business will increase employee numbers at the site from 1,098 in 2016 to 1,914 in 2020, an increase in the total workforce of 816 employees."

Planning committee member Margaret Lovatt said: "I support the recommendation but I have concerns over objections by the resident. I hoped JCB will communicate with Mr Poultney to overcome his concerns."

Councillor Colin Pearce said: "JCB is an important employer and should be given support. I am alarmed over the ownership of the land. I hope Mr Poultney is given help as we have to look to the future."

All 10 members of the planning committee voted to approve the application.

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