Warwickshire-based Arable Crop Storage has been given planning permission to double capacity of its Stratford upon Avon site to 60,000t.

ACS is working with Camgrain, with whom it intends to merge, and Openfield, to develop a store that meets the needs of end-users and its 62 farmer members.

Building work, which includes new high speed intake pits and driers, will start in early 2011 and it is hoped that rural development funding can be secured.

“Increased demand from members over harvest and consumer interest is the key driver for the expansion,” said Simon Weaver, chairman of the storage company.

“Combine outputs are now three to four times greater than they were when the store was first built in the mid-70s and farm driers and stores are struggling to keep up.

“This harvest, increased interest from current membership means that the store was full long before the end of harvest and we have interest from others looking to take tonnage,” he said.