More than 800 jobs to be created if major employer's new Nottinghamshire factory off M1 approved

More than 800 new jobs are set to be created if a Nottinghamshire council allows a major employer to build a vast factory next to the M1. A huge factory will likely be built on greenbelt land off J27 of the M1, near Annesley, if Ashfield District Council's planning committee follows advice to approve the project on Wednesday, December 4.

The new industrial complex would be used by Garnalex, a quickly growing company that supplies aluminium products and wants to relocate to Nottinghamshire. Planning documents explained the Belper-based company had outgrown its relatively small Derbyshire site, which was struggling to keep up with demand for its windows, doors and building products.

The business said it would likely spend £35-38 million on the new base, which would employ between 912 and 1,094 people. Planners for the company said the industrial complex would generate a substantial business rates payment for the council, with 810 new jobs created.

The application was previously discussed by the council's committee on October 23, but was deferred due to Nottinghamshire County Council's concern that highways issues had not been fully addressed. A report, which will be presented to councillors during the upcoming meeting, said the highways authority had now agreed conditions with Garnalex to limit the development's impact on nearby roads.

A council officer advised committee members to give the proposal planning permission, subject to the firm paying more than £600,000 towards local transport improvements. The official concluded that while the large industrial building would be "inappropriate" within the protected greenbelt, the substantial economic benefits justified the "very special circumstances" needed to build on the land.

However, the scheme has been opposed by parish councils and historic institutions, due to its scale and potential impacts. Annesley and Felley Parish Council objected over traffic concerns, fears that an increased number of HGVs would be passing by schools, and worries that construction would negatively impact wildlife on the farmland.

Selston Parish Council raised concerns over what it believed were poor transport links and expressed concern the large development was "magnificently overpowering", with a representative calling for the design to be more sympathetic to its surroundings. Historic England, concerned by the implications the plan could have on nearby Annesley Hall, said it objected as the project would "erode the estate setting" of the highly graded heritage assets around the country house.

Ashfield District Council's conservation officer echoed worries about the possible effect the huge development could have on the gatehouse, church and motte and bailey castle, and said there needed to be a "clear and convincing justification for this level of harm". If approved the application will be referred to Secretary of State Angela Rayner to finalise the permission, due to the location of the site within the greenbelt.

If the Deputy Prime Minister approves the project, the main factory will be open by 2027 and a painting facility by 2032, according to documents submitted in 2022.