THE management of a bakery which wants to expand says it has looked at ways of meeting local objections.

British Bakeries in Belmont Road, Northumberland Heath, wants to end distribution at the North Heath plant and concentrate on baking.

The plan would mean building more, higher silos on the site and more heavy lorries coming to and from Belmont Road.

But the company says the increase in articulated lorries would be offset by the removal of rigid lorries. It claims this would give a net reduction of five lorries a day as well as 45 fewer cars.

The company has also implemented several environmental measures following complaints from its neighbours. These include trying to reduce noise, reducing the effect of flashing lights on-site and asking drivers not to sound their horns on-site at night. It has also installed a bin to prevent litter being blown into people's gardens.

Area manufacturing manager Nigel Dalmon said: "Our business is part of the community and our duty is to work in partnership with our neighbours."

Campaigners against the bakery's expansion say the site is too small and the roads too narrow to accommodate the bakery's plans. They want it to relocate elsewhere in the borough.

They are meeting tonight (Wednesday) in The Pheasant pub in Belmont Road at 8pm to discuss the campaign.

December 4, 2001 11:46