A major £73 million project has been proposed to upgrade and then replace a virus-hit Perthshire poultry factory with a new state-of-the-art facility, potentially creating hundreds of jobs.
The first phase of the ambitious plan would see an initial £8 million investment in the current 2 Sisters chicken factory in Coupar Angus.
The plant would be extended and modernised to increase capacity and implement “necessary improvements” in the short-to-medium term.
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The second phase would see the construction of a brand new £65m state-of-the-art facility, proposed for a neighbouring site to the current plant.
The construction would take place whilst the existing factory was in operation.
Once the new low carbon factory is operational, the existing factory would be decommissioned for “residential, general industrial, storage or distribution uses”.
Hundreds of additional full-time jobs could be created on site - in addition to the 1147 existing employees - once the new factory is fully operational.
Two Proposal of Application Notices (PAN) have been lodged by Amber Real Estate Investment (Amber REI) to Perth and Kinross Council.
Amber REI Holdings is controlled by Ranjit Boparan, the founder and chief executive of the 2 Sisters Food Group.
Community engagement will take place in due course in advance of the official planning permission applications for both the works to the current facility and the new plant.
The proposal is part of Amber REI’s £150 million nationwide investment into “the agriculture, food production and tourism sectors, supporting 5750 jobs and delivering low carbon facilities”.
As well as the Coupar Angus project, Amber aims to use its investment for major projects at Edinburgh Airport, in the Central Belt and in West Lothian.
The announcement comes after the military were called to the Coupar Angus plant earlier this month following a third coronavirus outbreak, with a “small but sustained increase” in infections amongst staff.
The situation is understood to be under control, according to health chiefs, and measures that were put in place to prevent infection spread, including outdoor testing that began last month, are now being reviewed.
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Commenting on the proposal, a spokesperson for Amber REI said: “We are delighted to be working towards planning applications for the upgrading of the current and delivery of new processing facilities in Coupar Angus.
“I would urge the community to become fully involved in the consultation process and shape the proposals for our scheme as it progresses.”
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said: “Should planning permission be obtained, it will be fantastic to see this potential level of investment being used to upgrade the current processing facility in Coupar Angus, delivering new state of the art low carbon facilities.
“In addition to creating much-needed employment, it is a tremendous opportunity to raise standards by improving the facilities, delivering high-quality production while tackling climate change and delivering a sustainable future.”
