Allan CaudwellGAZETTE & HERALD: Eighty new jobs could be created in Corsham if Hygrade Foods' extension plans receive planning permission.

Hygrade Foods Ltd, on Edinburgh Way, Leafield Industrial Estate, wants to build a £6 million extension to its meat processing plant.

If North Wiltshire District Council's planning committee gives the plans the green light, building work will begin next year.

Site director at Hygrade, Allan Caudwell said: "The growth will be spread over the next three to four years. In the next three years we expect to create 80 jobs.

"The business is growing. It's a very good thing for Corsham. We form an important part of the community here."

Hygrade currently produces cooked meats for Waitrose and Duchy Originals, Prince Charles' charity. It uses British meat and processes organic free-range and British ham.

Mr Caudwell said the firm is expanding in line with superstore Waitrose.

"We are very happy with how business has grown over the last five years and we have plans with Waitrose, our main customer, for growth over the next five years, which is why we are building extra capacity," he said.

The firm wants to build three extensions, including new offices, a production area, an expanded chiller area and extra car parking.

The Corsham business employs 160 members of staff.

Hygrade has been situated in Corsham for seven years and Mr Caudwell said managers of the firm were pleased to be part of the town.

He said: "It's obviously an expanding town. They are building a lot of new houses in Corsham.

"We will be planning the extension this year with a major build in 2006."

At a Corsham Town Council meeting last Wednesday, councillors recommended approval for the plans and raised no objections.

Peter Davis, district, county and Corsham town councillor, said at the meeting: "It's providing two things, it's establishing that Hygrade Foods is going to stay in the town and there's the possibility that these extensions could provide future employment."

Jock Fraser, chairman of Corsham Town Council, said: "Obviously it's good news for the town and it shows Hygrade's commitment to Corsham and the development of the site.

"We wish them well and lots of success and hope it attracts a few more jobs to the town."

Stefan Barbaruk, manager of Wessex Chamber of Commerce, said: "There could be a lot of movement within the labour market in the community and anything that is going to create new positions is a positive thing.

"New opportunities have got to be snapped up. We seem to be quite strong in the food industry and that's one thing that doesn't really move abroad, which is encouraging.

"We definitely welcome it."

The plans are due to be assessed by the district council later this month.