JCB digs in with £1.4m quarry expansion plan
DIGGER giant JCB has unveiled plans to carry out a major £1.4 million expansion at a quarry.
The Rocester-based firm had bought sites located off Ashbourne Road in Cauldon Low from Lafarge Tarmac in December 2013, with Tarmac retaining rights under the agreement.
Now JCB has revealed plans to build an extension to the existing research and development facility, create new yard areas, and carry out regrading of the existing access adjacent to the building at the Wardlow/wredon Quarry.
The proposed scheme – which has been submitted to planners at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council equates to a £1.4 million worth of investment in the site.
A supporting statement points out how JCB’S operations create employment on sites that would otherwise be inactive.
The planning/mineral development statement, produced by JMI Planning Limited of Uttoxeter, said: “The JCB operations maintain the integrity and security of the site and creates employment for over 50 people, on sites that would otherwise be left dormant, and supports the research and development of a major international manufacturing company based in Staffordshire, employing approximately 6,000 in the UK, and 11,000 worldwide.
“JCB sits at the forefront of construction machinery innovation and are the first large scale manufacturer to develop a range of electric machines.
“In order to stay at the forefront of future technologies it is necessary to expand the R&D facility at the quarry.
“It is crucial to JCB’S ongoing success that they are able to continue to develop machines and test them to ‘breaking point’.
“Without the expansion of the workshop, alongside other developments (tilt table, loading tower) this thorough and robust development and testing regime will not be able to be undertaken or will have to be undertaken at rented test sites at significant cost to the company.”
The statement reveals how such an extension will ‘significantly increase’ the workshop capacity which will allow additional technologies to be tested prior to being releases into the marketplace.
It added: “The company is currently in the process of providing new testing facilities in the quarry bowl including a tilt table and loading tower and these have recently been granted
“The proposed development will enable the research and development arm of the company to improve its facilities to ensure it remains at the top of the competitive manufacturing machinery market.
“The proposed workshop extension provides for three additional bays on to the existing facility and will measure 19.2m x 31.5m with a pitched roof with a ridge height of 10.7m to match the building which it is attached too.
“The extension will be constructed of a steel frame with matching Moorland Green cladding as utilised on the majority of JCB buildings. The extension is located to the southern elevation of the building on the existing yard, which will be extended southwards.”
Jobs are also expected to be created. The statement added: “While it is anticipated that a small number of jobs will be created by the development, these are likely to be based across both the Wredon Quarry site and other local manufacturing bases.
“There is unlikely to be a material increase in staff permanently based at the quarry. The existing parking requirements associated with the use will therefore remain unchanged.”
To stay at the forefront of future technologies it is necessary to expand the R&D facility
Planners for JCB