Arla given go-ahead for Aylesbury dairy

Plans to build “the world’s largest zero-carbon dairy”, capable of processing 1.3bn litres of milk a year, have been given the go-ahead.

The £150m Arla Foods site in Buckinghamshire was granted planning permission by Aylesbury Vale District Council last week, after the planning application was submitted in May.

Three additional outline applications for an ancillary business park on the 35ha site east of Aylesbury were also submitted. Arla Foods intends to create a food manufacturing hub at the site, employing around 1000 people, and helping to reduce food miles associated with the dairy.

The company hopes construction at the site can begin as soon as possible, with the aim to be operational towards the end of 2012.

“This will be a state-of-the-art dairy designed to help Arla achieve its growth ambitions in the UK,” chief executive Peter Lauritzen said. “In addition to being one of the largest construction projects in the UK, our flagship building will also be the world’s first zero-carbon dairy.”