A FIRM has been given the go-ahead to expand into the greenbelt to create more manufacturing jobs.

The success of What More UK plastic manufacturing business has seen the scheme take off to the extent that the company is now the supplier to major UK stores and 39 countries, including China.

The company rent premises in addition to their base at Altham Industrial Estate which it said is causing too many journeys between sites.

It plans to expand off Shorten Brook Way, to the west of Altham Lane, to create an additional 70 manufacturing jobs in the borough.

Planning councillors rubberstamped the plan to erect a 9,450 square metre manufacturing and warehouse building with provision for parking and landscaping.

Though the proposal includes 157 car parking spaces and 36 spaces for trailers, the bid is expected to reduce HGV traffic as the company will no longer need to make trips to other sites.

The site is currently operating at full capacity, containing around 50 machines, but with no space for storage of goods produced.

Tim O’Neill, representing the firm, told councillors: “Sometimes we have to stop production and it isn’t because we don’t have the work, it’s because we have ran out of room.

“It is really inefficient — but as our workforce is local and we have invested so much in the site, we don’t want to move.”