Bernard Matthews looks to expand Suffolk site

Turkey producer Bernard Matthews Farms is looking to expand one of its processing plants in Suffolk.

According to an article in The Eastern Daily Press, the firm is seeking permission to expand two of its buildings to improve efficiency at its site near Halesworth that has been running for more than 25 years.

The two extensions would increase the existing floor area of its plants, which is about 25,900sq m, by about 12%.

The planning application outlines proposals for a side extension to factory one, linking it to a cold store, and an extension at the front of factory two, at the same site off Scalesbrook Lane.

The application, which was submitted to Waveney District Council, states: “The proposed development will be used to reorganise processing facilities at the two Halesworth factories, improving efficiency by creating some additional processing capacity and consolidating packing operations. Other existing operations and employee numbers at the Halesworth site are unaffected by these proposals.”

It just comes three weeks after the council gave the company the green light to build five wind turbines near the site on a former airfield in Holton. This is part of Bernard Matthews’ £20m plan to build nine wind turbines to power its turkey production plants with green energy.