One of the country's oldest food manufacturers is hoping to expand and create more jobs.

Bennett Opie Ltd, which produces an extensive range of pickles and preserves from its factory in Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne, says the proposal will allow the company to continue to grow to meet demand.

Opies has been based there since the 1930s and supplies a variety of products to major supermarkets and catering suppliers.

With an annual turnover of more than £40m and a significant growth in sales, the company urgently needs to increase manufacturing capacity and improve the efficiency of the site.

The extension would house sauce manufacturing and pasteurisation equipment and potentially double capacity.

A planning application states: "The increased capacity will require the employment of 10 extra full-time staff and secure the employment of current staff.

"Without this investment, the ongoing viability of the site is in question."

The expansion will also allow the production of products currently outsourced overseas to be moved to Sittingbourne, significantly reducing their cost and carbon footprint.

Bennett Opie Ltd is one of the oldest private family-owned food companies in the UK, having been in business since 1880.

The company employs more than 115 staff between three sites in Sittingbourne.

If given the green light, the extension would be to the north west side of the existing building.

Another statement reveals: "The proposed extension is an urgently-needed addition to house new equipment to ensure the future growth of a long-standing, successful local business.

"We, therefore, hope the council are able to support this application."

The proposed extension has been designed to minimise the impact on neighbouring homes.

It also meets local and national planning policy requirements in terms of design, sustainability and energy efficiency.

Labour councillor for Chalkwell Ghlin Whelan said: "I had a site visit at Bennett Opie.

"Unless I receive some very cogent reasons to the contrary from residents, I do not expect to raise objection to this application."
The application was validated on November 29 and is still awaiting a decision.

To find out more enter 22/505221/FULL on Swale's planning portal.