Plans have been revealed for a huge water processing and bottling plant in Derbyshire which would supply drinks to Lidl supermarkets across the UK and Ireland.
PGFI III Ltd and Dove Valley Park Ltd have submitted proposals to South Derbyshire District Council for the 50,000 sq metre water processing, bottling and distribution site at Dove Valley Park, which is a business park off the A50 near Foston.
According to the application, the plant, which would create more than 160 jobs, is for the MEG group of companies, a subsidiary of the Schwarz Group, the German retail group that owns and operates the Lidl and Kaufland brands.
It would be built on a 30-acre plot of farmland to the north of the existing buildings on Dove Valley Park. The land already has outline planning permission for industrial/warehouse use.
Dove Valley Park is already home to businesses, including JCB, Kuehne and Nagel and Futaba Industrial.
The land that the water processing and bottling plant would be built on represents part of phase two of the business park’s expansion.
In planning documents submitted to the district council by Stride Treglown, on behalf of the applicants, it said: “This land will be used to build a state-of-the-art beverage production facility, where mineral water and soft drinks will be manufactured for the British and Irish market.
“MEG has supplied beverages to British and Irish branches of Lidl for many years. The newly planned facilities will significantly shorten transport routes, helping to further improve the company’s carbon footprint and reduce costs.
“The investment decision was the result of our long-term plans and strategies. It has nothing to do with Brexit, so this won’t have any impact on further actions/investment.”
According to the application, the plant would be built in phases with the production element built first.
The plans state: “The design is purpose-built and reflects of the activities and processes taking place within the facility. It comprises three principal elements, which are brought together within one building to satisfy the operational needs of the company.
“Due to the desire to start production at the end of 2020, the core of the facility shall be constructed and brought into operation in advance of the remaining works.
“It will bring over 150 jobs to the area and will lead to further benefits within the supply chain.”
