A significant expansion is being planned for the Advanced Proteins factory in Cheddleton, according to documents on the district council's planning portal.

The plans were discussed in a "screening opinion request" submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council by John Pointon And Sons, which was bought by Advanced Proteins in 2020 and is based on Bones Lane in Cheddleton.

It explained that Advanced Proteins are aiming to obtain planning permission to construct and operate a food processing facility on unused land adjacent to the existing factory.

It also adds that the business are currently engaged in pre-application discussions with the district council before a formal planning application is submitted.

Ahead of the planning application being prepared, a "screening opinion request" has first been submitted to ask whether the district council thinks an Environmental Impact Assessment will be required for the proposed expansion.

The documents argue that such an assessment will not be required because the applicant's consultant "doesn't consider the effects to be significant and that potential impacts can be satisfactorily identified and managed through the submission of an appropriate suite of supporting information to accompany a future planning application."

It was also revealed that the proposed development will be around 29,000 square metres in size and would be built on Green Belt land.

The submission received 16 comments from members of the public, with all of these objecting to the plans.

One of these, selected at random, from a Woodland Avenue resident, says: "I have reservations about the expansion of Advanced Proteins on the grounds of more air and noise pollution. The site will double in size.

"Another car park will surely mean more workers which means more output contributing to more air and noise pollution. The area being developed is just the other side of the trees which means the factory will be closer to our houses, will there be extra noise from the sealed tanks. The traffic noise is unacceptable especially between 10pm-7am.

"The lorries bounce and bang like rumbling thunder which causes sleep deprivation. More turnover will involve increased lorry traffic which will increase more noise, affecting quality of life relaxing in your own garden.

"Expansion will also cause more fumes and ash. My patio table is consistently covered in ash, we are breathing this ash is affecting our health.

"The smell from the factory has been unacceptable, although this has improved this past month."

The district council will decide on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required at a later date, before a formal planning application is considered.